IT goes without saying that having a good disciplinary record is important to any team’s chances of success.

Being forced to tweak line-ups on a regular basis because a player is banned does little for continuity.

Worcester City have seen their fair share of players serve suspensions down the years but that number has decreased this season.

Indeed, by sitting out today’s Conference North match at Colwyn Bay (3pm), Wayne Thomas and Daniel Nti are the first to be banned since November.

Thomas sat out the FA Trophy victory over Barrow after picking up five bookings.

Captain Ellis Deeney, who was sent off against Lowestoft Town in September, is the only other player to be suspended this term.

Top-scorer Sean Geddes has also passed the five-booking threshold but, because he had not reached it before December 31, will not be suspended until he gets to 10.

With two-thirds of the season elapsed, manager Carl Heeley is happy with the on-pitch behaviour of his players.

He said: “This season I can only remember Ellis being suspended so, to be into February, discipline-wise we have been really good and haven’t lost players to suspension.”

Thomas picked up his 10th caution of the campaign in the 3-0 defeat at North Ferriby United a fortnight ago and Nti was sent off for two bookable offences.

Although both will miss the trip to north Wales today, Heeley believes there is more than enough cover in the squad.

Double Southport loan signings Johnny Lynch, a left-back, and right winger Micah Evans have bolstered the numbers and given the City manager food for thought.

He added: “The bans are a blow but it happens in football.”

Meanwhile, the league derby between Worcester and Gloucester City — postponed last weekend — will now be on Tuesday, April 14 (7.45pm).