WORCESTER City expect to strengthen their squad with a combative player in the next few days.

Manager Carl Heeley reckons his team, who lost 2-0 at Gloucester City in Conference North yesterday, have been bullied in recent weeks and he feels a physical presence is required.

“There have been times in games where we have been bullied so that’s got to stop,” the City boss said.

“Hopefully, there will be a player joining us in the next few days that will help in that department.”

Heeley has also reiterated his intent to bring in more firepower and says it could mean players leaving.

However, he says he will have to work within his budget because the FA Cup money and George Williams’ sale have to help fund the club.

The Blue and Whites manager explained: “We did overachieve in the cup and the bar has been raised but I’m just looking for where the next goal is coming from.

“We need to swap it around, that’s blatantly obvious, but it’s about getting players in who we feel are better than what we’ve got and that’s not easy.

“It’s clear we have got to do something because we are stuck in a little bit of a rut. If the right players become available, there will be sacrifices within the squad.

“The budget we are on is competitive, it is not the biggest in the league but it is also not the smallest one.

“But we have still got to look at the bigger picture because it is not as straightforward as having a good cup run and spending silly money. It doesn’t work like that.”

Striker Michael Taylor could be facing a spell on the sidelines after sustaining a hamstring injury against Gloucester.

Taylor appeared as a second-half substitute but pulled up soon afterwards, playing on because City had used all three replacements.

Centre-half Wayne Thomas missed yesterday’s match for an assessment on his UEFA ‘A’ licence coaching course.

He will be available for Saturday’s home match against leaders Fylde (3pm).