WORCESTER City are considering turning to former Kidderminster Harriers and Cheltenham Town striker Justin Richards to bolster their firepower.

The much-travelled 33-year-old, who has also played for Tamworth, Bristol Rovers and West Brom among others, featured in Tuesday’s 1-1 pre-season draw at Redditch United.

City only have one striker in Mike Symons currently on their books, with Ethan Moore not yet having signed up for the new campaign.

Moore partnered Richards at the Valley Stadium, before Symons came off the bench to cancel out George Carlisle’s 70th minute opener two minutes from time.

Right-back George Williams and centre-half Wayne Thomas sustained minor ankle and thigh injuries and were withdrawn before the end as a precaution.

Manager Carl Heeley said: “I thought we kept the ball well but were guilty at times of passing for the sake of it and not having a purpose.

“Possession-wise, I thought we dominated it for large spells but it was disappointing to concede a goal from a free header.”

There were plenty of chances littered throughout an entertaining first-half and it was the woodwork that came to the hosts’ rescue when Moore powered a shot against the upright before Thomas crashed a 30-yard free-kick against the crossbar.

The second-half was just as even with Jermaine Hylton heading inches wide from a Jordan Jones cross before Aaron Williams went close at the other end.

Redditch finally found a way through on 70 minutes when a free-kick from former Worcester midfielder Ashley Sammons picked out George Carlisle who guided his header beyond Jose Veiga.

The visitors left it late before grabbing their equaliser, substitute Symons pouncing on a loose ball 12 yards out to drill beyond Hornby.

City: Veiga, G Williams, Weir, Hutchison, Thomas, Jackman, A Williams, Deeney, Richards, Moore, Gudger. Subs: Symons, Rowe, Purdie, McDermott, Gater.

City are due to send a predominantly youthful team to face Westfields tonight (7.45).