WORCESTER City joint manager Matt Gardiner has backed the experience of veteran strike duo Deon Burton and Lee Hughes to play a key role in turning around his side’s disappointing league form.

Hughes capped an impressive home debut with a brace, while former Derby County forward Burton looked on from the bench as an injury-time equaliser from Curzon Ashton extended City’s miserable run without a win to six games on Saturday.

Despite the disappointment of letting victory slip from their grasp, Gardiner remains confident the influence of Hughes and Burton, coupled with the arrival of former Notts County forward Shaun Harrad, will help lift City’s youngsters as they look to respond with a victory at Alfreton Town tomorrow night (7.45pm).

“The players that have come into the squad are very experienced and they’ll know how to bounce back,” said Gardiner.

“The likes of Lee and Deon will get round the younger players and help them learn from what happened on Saturday. They are only going to benefit from the experience those two bring from having played at the levels they have.”

“There were also plenty of positives to take from Saturday’s performance and it was definitely an improvement on our last home game, but there is more to do.”

Gardiner is under no illusions as to the task facing his side at The Impact Arena where Sam Jones’ double helped the home side to a thumping 4-0 victory over Hednesford Town at the weekend.

But City should be boosted by the return of defender Sam Minihan, who has recovered from a sore hamstring, while Tyler Weir will undergo a late fitness test after a calf injury picked up against Stockport County ruled him out of Saturday’s clash at Aggborough.

However, Worcester will head to Derbyshire without the versatile George Nash who is unavailable for the trip having caught the eye on his return to the side with a composed performance at right back against Curzon.

“George is very good player,” Gardiner said. “He is getting the ‘utility player’ tag but he doesn’t moan and was probably unlucky to come out of the side.

“Unfortunately he’s not available for the game at Alfreton.”

Meanwhile, City could have a county derby in the FA Cup second qualifying round on Saturday, September 26, after being drawn away to Stourport Swifts or Holbeach United, who must replay tonight at Walshes Meadow (7.45pm).