Brown looks set to return for City’s semi-final tie (From Worcester News)

Brown looks set to return for City’s semi-final tie

8:30am Tuesday 7th February 2012 in Sport By Steve Carley, @stevecarleyWN #WENsport

SIMON Brown is set to make his first start for Worcester City in a month in tonight’s Worcestershire FA Senior Cup semi-final at holders Stourbridge (7.45pm).

The forward has only played 21 minutes, as a substitute in the 1-1 draw against Histon, since the 3-2 defeat at Vauxhall Motors on January 7.

Brown, who has scored five goals this season, has been struggling with a hamstring problem but was fit enough to be an unused replacement against Workington at the end of January.

However, he is expected to line-up at the War Memorial Ground, as City look to avenge the 2-0 defeat in last season’s final, alongside the likes of fellow attack-minded players Matt Birley, Michael Taylor and Phil Green.

Manager Carl Heeley said: “Some players have missed out in the last couple of games and there’s a good chance for them to play and get some minutes under their belts.

“We were disappointed last year losing in the final although we were probably in our worst shape of the season with fatigue.

“It was disappointing at the time but we have moved on from that. It’s a senior cup game, we would like to win it and we will do our best to do that.”

Last Saturday’s Gainsborough postponement afforded defensive trio Jacob Rowe (leg), Stuart Whitehead (hamstring) and Lee Ayres (shoulder) more recovery time but they are unlikely to be risked, meaning Rob Elvins could partner Ryan Clarke in the centre of defence.

Left-back Ellis Deeney has also returned to training following a spell on the sidelines with a throat blister.

Heeley added: “It does give players time to recover from a few knocks so maybe it played into our hands a bit.

“Sometimes you get games called off when you want them to be on but playing would have been fine on Saturday. We had enough players but we wouldn’t have been at full strength.”