ONE of Worcester City’s FA Cup heroes from last season, Wayne Thomas, has re-signed for the Blue and Whites.

City’s official Twitter account has confirmed the return of Thomas, who left the club in March to take up a coaching job in the USA with New York Red Bulls.

The vastly-experienced ex-Stoke City, Burnley and Southampton player became an academy coach with the Major League Soccer Eastern Conference outfit.

The 36-year-old was a firm favourite with City fans and will bolster Worcester’s squad in their bid to climb the Vanarama National League North table.

City have a tough test in the FA Cup on Saturday when they travel to rivals Solihull Moors in the third qualifying round (3pm).

Worcester saw off lower-graded Holbeach United 2-0 in a replay at Aggborough in the previous round after being held to a 1-1 draw in Lincolnshire.

After a poor start to the season City have enjoyed an upturn in form and are undefeated in their last four games in all competitions.

Goals from Lee Hughes and Tristian Dunkley fired Worcester to a battling 2-0 league victory at FC United of Manchester on Friday night.

Thomas was originally signed by Carl Heeley from Tamworth in January 2014 and the last appearance of his first spell was in a 1-1 draw with Guiseley at Aggborough.

At the time of Thomas' departure, Heeley said: "Wayne came in and was immense. You cannot underestimate just how influential that man has been for this club. He goes with our best wishes.”

Thomas starred in City’s FA Cup run, in which they beat former winners Coventry City and then took League One side Scunthorpe United to a replay.

Ironically, City bowed out of the competition after Thomas missed the crucial spot-kick in a record 14-13 penalty shoot-out defeat.

Thomas even played in goal, keeping a clean sheet when Jose Veiga suffered an early injury in a 2-0 league win against Harrogate.