WORCESTER City could be handed a double defensive boost as they aim to capture their first win of the season against Alfreton Town tonight (7.45pm).

Defender Sam Oji is poised to return after recovering from a knee problem, while centre-back Graham Hutchison could also feature at the Victoria Ground.

Hutchison was forced off in City’s 1-0 defeat at Stockport County last week after being struck in the face when attempting to block a shot.

But Heeley is hopeful the 23-year-old will be back available along with the experienced Oji.

“When Hutch was heading the ball on Thursday evening, he was still feeling discomfort in his jaw,” said Heeley, whose side drew 2-2 against Gainsborough Trinity at the weekend.

“Sam probably could have played at a push on Saturday but giving him an extra few days will help him and hopefully one or both of them will be available for Alfreton.”

However, there are doubts over new signing James Chambers’ fitness as he limped off in the closing stages of their battling display against Gainsborough with a “tweaked hamstring”.

After going 2-0 down, 10-man Worcester turned the match around in the second half thanks to a brace from Lee Hughes.

Heeley said he was impressed with his side’s fightback, especially after the sending off of Junior English, whose suspension will kick in on Saturday.

But he insists improvements need to be made if they are to see off 13th-placed Alfreton, who are the second highest scorers in Vanarama National League North with 20 but have also conceded 24 goals, more than any other team in the division.

“I think a win is coming,” Heeley said.

“But we have just got to perform for 90 minutes and give ourselves a better opportunity to win the game.

“We have not done that this season.

“But the draw against Gainsborough is something to build on as we have shown a lot of character in the second half.

“It would have been easy to feel sorry for yourselves and just accept you are going to get beaten again but they haven’t.

“They have kept going and if we had won it would not have been undeserved.”

Although the point saw the Blue and Whites move off the bottom and climb out of the relegation zone, they are still without a win in eight games.

But Heeley is confident he and his players can steer Worcester clear of the drop zone this term.

“If you look at the games, we are only talking about small margins,” he added.

“We are not the whipping boys and the league is very tight, so a win will make a world of difference in the way we feel.

“But don’t lose belief in anybody. I certainly haven’t.

“I have certainly not lost any belief in myself as I have been here before and know what it is all about. The players will get my full support as we will win games of football."