MANAGER Carl Heeley believes Worcester City are more than capable of keeping themselves in touch with the Conference North play-offs.

City have slipped to 12th in the table following two defeats in three games and failing to score in any of them.

Yet they are only four points adrift of fifth-placed Chorley and have games in hand on the teams above them.

Heeley accepts it has been a frustrating period — compounded by the injury Tyler Weir and forward Jordan Murphy’s return to Walsall — but remains upbeat about the games ahead, starting with Sunday’s derby against Gloucester City (3pm).

He said: “With the euphoria of the cup and playing in front of sell-out crowds, to then come back to the league programme was always going to be an anti-climax.

“Combining that with a lot of fixtures in a short space of time and losing George Williams, Tyler Weir and Jordan Murphy, it’s not surprising it’s happened.

“It’s a little blip but overall we are delighted with how our season has been going.

“We have still got a big chance, it’s still in our own hands and if we start winning again we will soon get back in the mix.”

City lost 1-0 to Bradford Park Avenue last Sunday despite creating plenty of chances and head to Whaddon Road looking to end a run of five straight defeats against the Tigers, stretching back three years.

Tim Harris’ side are struggling in the relegation zone, without a win in three games, but they defeated high-flying Barrow at Cheltenham Town’s ground in December.

“When there’s a local derby you always want to do well,” Heeley said. “We had a little blip last weekend and it was a frustrating game.

“Watching the highlights, it’s unbelievable that we failed to score. But we have got to forget about that and hopefully get back on a winning keel against Gloucester.

“They have had the better of us with the results in the last couple of seasons but that’s got to change at some point and our next opportunity to change that is Sunday.

“I saw them the other week, they work hard and don’t give anything up and I wouldn’t expect anything else from a team scrapping for points.

“They are fighting for their lives and I know that Tim Harris will want to win as much as I do.”

Connor Gudger is in line to replace Weir at left-back, while Daniel Nti could return in place of Murphy.

n City’s supporters’ club are running a bus to Gloucester. Seats cost £10 and to book call Keith Chambers on 07712-457698 or 01905-358193.