WORCESTER City could be forced into a defensive reshuffle with Jordan Stoddart and Tyler Weir hampered by illness over the past week.

Stoddart has started all five City matches since signing in November while Weir, victim of a chest infection, has kicked off each of the eight games played having returned from Hednesford Town in October.

Joint-boss John Snape’s options have been boosted by George Forsyth’s green light to play with a protective cast on a broken arm and Alex Tomkinson’s recovery from a hamstring injury.

Under-21 aces Callum Harper and Ethan Moran could also make the cut for today’s home clash against Lye Town at the Victoria Ground (3pm) with Snape likely to utilise his squad during a run of five matches in 15 days.

“Having five games in just over two weeks will be taken into account but we will take the Lye match seriously,” said Snape.

“It has been a while since we have played and we're looking to put to bed the disappointment of conceding those three goals to Bromsgrove Sporting on Boxing Day.

“The postponements have been tough. The Heanor game last Saturday was one we had been looking forward to but the lads remain hungry and ready to go. Bar those couple of illnesses we will be at full strength.

“There are a lot of twists and turns to come, some teams at the lower end are improving and any team in that top eight that can put together some consistency will challenge for those first two spots that everyone is after.

“We have a tough run and the squad will be required. The lads cannot wait to get back out there and we haven’t played half of the season yet.

“We have the joint-best goals-for total and have conceded less than any other team in the division, the disappointing thing is only averaging two points per game so far with those records.

“In the second half of the season we have to up that and hopefully that starts now and carries into the games that follow.”

City won 1-0 at Lye in September thanks to a Dave Reynolds strike, ending their hosts’ unbeaten start to the Midland League Premier Division season.

Since then, Town have won two, drawn four and lost nine of 15 outings but Snape is not underestimating Worcester’s task.

“I know Craig Harris (Lye manager) very well,” he added. “He was a fiercely-competitive character in his playing days and that can be seen in his side.

“We have had a little look at them. They have a robust side full of battlers and we expect a tight game.”