JOINT manager Carl Heeley feels Worcester City will have to outdo last season’s Coventry City giant-killing to get a result at Sheffield United.

Today’s first-round match at Bramall Lane (3pm) sees them go head-to-head with a side pushing for the League One play-offs.

Heeley said: “We will be playing in front of a huge crowd. Then there’s the full-time, part-time thing we will have to overcome. And then there should be a gulf in class between the sides.

“But at the end of the day it won’t be about a League One side taking on non-league Worcester City. It will be a game between two clubs playing in a competition renowned for being a great leveller and that’s what we will instil in the players.”

And the fact that so many of his squad have been involved in such games before makes life a little easier for Heeley.

He added: “The likes of Deon Burton, Shaun Harrad, Ashley Vincent, Wayne Thomas and Danny Jackman have been involved in big games before.

“And I won’t have to speak to the lads who played against Coventry and Scunthorpe last season as they will know exactly what to expect.

“All we can do is to approach the game professionally and not leave anything to chance. We are one of a number of non-league clubs dreaming of what could be. Who knows what might happen? But it’s also important that the players savour and enjoy the game.”

Full-back Tyler Weir was due to be assessed before the team left for their overnight stay in Sheffield last night as a foot injury has sidelined him for nearly a month.

Centre-half Thomas was not risked in the 1-0 National League North defeat at Harrogate Town last weekend due to a sore Achilles but is expected to be included along with Connor Gater and former Sheffield Wednesday striker Deon Burton.

The duo sat out the game along with keeper Nathan Vaughan, who is back after a one-match ban.

Midfielder Sean Geddes, the two-goal hero at Coventry last season, misses out through suspension as does striker Lee Hughes.

But Heeley said the pair will be with the squad on the day and added: “They have helped us to this stage so it is only right for them to be involved. There are a number of unsung heroes who have helped us off the field.

“Club secretary John Jordan does an unbelievable job liaising with everyone and Andy Twigg at Nutz4Sportz has been working all hours to get our cup kit ready for us with all the embroidery and logos.

“People like these do an amazing job behind the scenes and rarely get the credit they deserve.”