MIKE Symons is a major doubt for Worcester City’s Conference North trip to Chorley tomorrow (3pm) because of a hamstring injury.

The striker, who scored in last Saturday’s 2-0 victory over Stockport County to take his goals tally for the season to six, failed a late fitness test ahead of Tuesday’s 4-1 defeat by Solihull Moors.

He is now unlikely to be involved at Victory Park as City seek an immediate return to winning ways against their play-off rivals.

Manager Carl Heeley knows how important Symons is to the team as the focal point of the attack and concedes his absence is a significant blow.

Asked if he would be involved, the Blue and Whites boss said: “I don’t know at the moment, it’s still early. We could do with him being available that’s for sure.

“We build a lot of play off Symmo but he had a fitness test and, as soon as he started running, he was feeling his hamstring so it was a major setback.”

Symons’ absence meant an earlier than anticipated return to the side for Daniel Nti following a leg injury and he could continue to lead the line at Chorley.

Heeley is expecting a response from his players in the wake of Tuesday’s defeat to Solihull, which was only their second in the league at Aggborough this season.

He said: “All we’re looking for is more of a performance like we turned in against Stockport rather than on Tuesday. If we do that then I can’t be critical of the team.

“We had one of those evenings. You can stand in the changing rooms and talk until you’re blue in the face but we were off it. Not having our most effective players available hasn’t helped, and losing Symmo was a major blow, but that’s football.

“You’ve got to put it into perspective. We are going to be up and down, looking at the players we’ve got missing, they’re good players. I’m not going to get too despondent about it.”

As well as Symons, City are still without keeper Nathan Vaughan (foot), midfielder Connor Gater (groin), left-back Tyler Weir (broken foot), but striker Michael Taylor (hamstring) is nearing a return.

Victory for City would see them complete the double over the Lancastrians after goals from captain Ellis Deeney and Tristian Dunkley gave them a 2-0 win at Aggborough in September.

Chorley, managed by former Manchester City and Blackburn midfielder Garry Flitcroft, are looking for a first league win in four.