WORCESTER City’s FA Cup first-round clash at Sheffield United is a great opportunity to thrust the club into the national spotlight, insists joint boss Matt Gardiner.

City head to Bramall Lane to face the four-time former FA Cup winners on Saturday (3pm) during their third season of ground-sharing at Kidderminster Harriers’ Aggborough headquarters.

Gardiner believes it’s important for City in the long run to be playing home matches at a new stadium in Worcester.

“This cup tie is something to relish and is reward for the fans and Carl Heeley, who has been at the club for a long time, myself, the players and the directors,” said Gardiner.

“This is an ideal opportunity to put the club into the spotlight again because it’s so important that Worcester City get back to playing home matches in Worcester.

“The players are buzzing for the trip to Sheffield. A lot of them have played in the Football League and we will be giving it our best shot.”

Vastly-experienced striker Lee Hughes and attacking midfielder Sean Geddes are both suspended for City’s trip to Sheffield.

The last time a City side played at Bramall Lane was in the FA Youth Cup in November 2013 and the youngsters were outclassed in a 9-0 drubbing.

But Gardiner said: “We will be trying to give the best account of ourselves.

“It will be a really tough match but the players have worked hard to get this far and deserve the opportunity after being drawn away against Holbeach, Solihull Moors and Gateshead in the previous rounds.

“I have been to Bramall Lane a couple of times. The fans are vocal, there’s always a passionate crowd and we will be trying to prepare the players as best we can.”

City striker Daniel Nti played a key role in Worcester’s run to the second round last season, which included a thrilling 2-1 win at Coventry City.

“We have worked hard to get to this stage of the competition and I think we deserved to get through to the first round,” said Nti.

“To get the chance to come up against Sheffield United is fantastic. Not many people expected us to win at Coventry last season but we knew what the squad was capable of and we thoroughly deserved to go through.

“I have never played at Bramall Lane but, speaking to those who have been there, they say it’s a great set-up and it’s something we’re looking forward to.

“Being part of a smaller club and going to a former Premier League side is what the FA Cup is all about.

“We’ll make sure we enjoy everything about the day but are fully focused. It’s not just a day out. We will be trying our best to give our supporters something to shout about.”

Saturday's match will be strictly all-ticket for City fans.