MANAGER Carl Heeley has played down the significance of tonight’s clash against Gainsborough Trinity on Worcester City’s play-off quest (7.45).

Following a six-game unbeaten run, including three consecutive victories for the first time since December, City are right back in the mix for the Blue Square Bet North top five.

They are just five points behind fifth-placed Trinity, after Saturday’s 3-2 win at Corby Town, and also know victory at St George’s Lane would close that gap still further.

Heeley, however, insists his players are not thinking about the possible effect on the league table.

“Nobody is talking about us. We are playing OK and have got a chance of winning another game but that’s as far as it goes,” he said.

“The points are in the bag from Saturday so we’ll keep our feet on the ground and focus on tonight.

“People will bill it as a big game and it would be nice to get a good turn-out from our fans at home to help us along. I am sure we will get that.”

Gainsborough beat second-placed Nuneaton 3-1 at the weekend but Heeley believes the Lincolnshire outfit are in for a tough ride.

He continued: “Gainsborough, like any other club, will find it tough playing Worcester City at the moment.

“That said, we have every respect for them. They are a very good side and it’s going to be a tough one for us.”

Attacking midfielder Matt Birley and winger Greg Mills sustained groin and hamstring problems at Corby respectively but are both expected to be fit for tonight.

Heeley may look to retain the same starting 11 for the fourth fixture running but knows he has strength in depth to call on.

He said: “We’ve got players there that if we need to change it we can and it certainly won’t weaken our side.”

Meanwhile, the City manager insists Ryan Clarke remains in his plans despite having dropped the defender to the bench in recent weeks and leaving him out at the weekend for Stuart Whitehead.

“There’s been no fall-outs with any individual. We have got a really happy camp, all the boys are together with the sole aim of trying to do our best for the club,” Heeley added.

The Worcestershire FA Senior Cup semi-final at Stourbridge, abandoned last Tuesday because of floodlight failure, will now take place on Tuesday, April 3 (7.45).