MIKE Symons could miss Worcester City’s trip to Hinckley United tonight (7.45) after aggravating his back problem.

The 11-goal striker, who spent a fortnight on the sidelines with the injury last month, was struggling towards the end of Saturday’s 2-2 draw against Hyde at St George’s Lane and is doubtful for the Blue Square Bet North clash.

Utility player Rob Elvins will also be assessed after damaging his shoulder at the weekend but keeper James Dormand looks set to miss out again in order to protect a muscle strain, meaning Matt Sargeant retains his place.

Manager Carl Heeley reckons Elvins could be fit to feature but is ready to call on the likes of the attack-minded Lee Smith and Simon Brown at the Greene King Stadium.

He said: “Symmo is probably more worrying than Rob but if they miss out it gives an opportunity to someone else.

“Mike said he could feel the nerve in his lower back and hamstring again so we’ll have to have a look at him but it is worrying that it keeps coming back.

“We still have Lee Smith and Simon Brown who didn’t get on the park on Saturday. We have got one or two knocks but the boys are up for it.”

Tonight sees Heeley and left-back Neil Cartwright return to their former club as City bid to continue the momentum from the latter stages of the Hyde match.

Hinckley, meanwhile, come into the fixture in 18th position on the back of their third successive league draw, having let a 2-0 lead slip at Gloucester.

Heeley said: “In this league you have to be on top of your game every week, whether you are playing a team in 18th position or the leaders.

“It’s about us being right and if we are then we’ll be a match for anybody and I think we categorically proved that on Saturday.

“One thing we’ve displayed this season is the never-say-die attitude, we keep going and never know when we’re beaten.

“That will stand us in good stead and tonight is another opportunity to keep the points tally rolling.”

Centre-half Lee Ayres is expected to have recovered from the back problem that forced him off early in the first-half at the weekend.

Right-back Martyn Naylor is available as his three-game ban for his red card against Hyde, received just two minutes after coming on to replace Ayres, does not start until December 17’s visit to Colwyn Bay.

With City not having a game this Saturday, that trip to North Wales will also be when Elvins serves his one-match suspension for five bookings.