Heeley relishing test against Bulls (From Worcester News)

Heeley relishing test against Bulls

2:00pm Friday 20th July 2012 in Sport By Steve Carley, @stevecarleyWN

ANOTHER large crowd is expected at St George’s Lane tomorrow as Worcester City renew their rivalry with Hereford United (3pm).

More than 1,000 fans witnessed City’s 1-0 victory over West Bromwich Albion on Tuesday and a four-figure gate is on the cards for the Bulls’ visit.

It is nearly 13 years since the two clubs, old adversaries from the Southern League in the 1970s, last met when City lost 3-2 in a friendly at the Lane in August 1999.

Tomorrow’s clash may also be non-competitive but it is a fixture – arranged as part of Tyler Weir joining on loan last season – that has been eagerly-anticipated by both sets of supporters.

Carl Heeley’s side will be looking for their third consecutive warm-up win, while Hereford will be near to full-strength as boss Martin Foyle continues to shape his squad for the Blue Square Bet Premier campaign.

Worcester manager Heeley said: “It’s a different type of test to what we faced against West Brom and it’s going to be more like we will get week in, week out.

“The emphasis is on playing teams that are going to test us. It’s no good just going through the motions and wi-nning every game at a canter.”

Defenders Stuart Whitehead and Rob Elvins are set to return to the City team and trialist midfielder Matt Breeze is also available to face the Edgar Street outfit after having his contract with Peterborough cancelled by mutual consent.

Centre-half Jacob Rowe was due to attend his first training session last night after a holiday but may not feature.

It will also be another opportunity for trialists to stake a claim, with former Cheltenham Town right-back Kyle Haynes seeking to make his mark.

Weir, now a Worcester player following his release from Hereford, is first-choice in that role but Heeley may opt to add cover to the squad.

Hereford will be without trialists Chris Carruthers and Greg Tindle after the defensive pair suffered head injuries in Tuesday’s abandoned friendly at Evesham United.

The Bulls have a string of trialists, including former Gateshead right-back Eddie Odhiambo, released Southport winger Jonathan Brown and ex-Cheltenham midfielder Dave Bird.