MANAGER Carl Heeley urged his players to seize their chance to put themselves in the “national spotlight” in this season’s Emirates FA Cup.

Worcester City begin their cup campaign today (3pm) when they take on Vanarama National League North rivals AFC Telford United at the Victoria Ground.

The Blue and Whites have made a name for themselves in the competition in recent years.

In 2014, they defeated Coventry City 2-1 at the Ricoh Arena before losing to Scunthorpe on penalties in the second round.

The following year, they secured a mouth-watering first-round tie against League One side Sheffield United, who ran out 3-0 winners at Bramall Lane.

And Heeley hopes his team can produce another memorable cup run as they prepare for their second qualifying round clash.

“The FA Cup is important for every non-league club,” he said.

“Obviously, the financial side is a factor but it’s an opportunity (for players) to put themselves in the national spotlight as we well know.

“But every non-league player will want to do that and it is going to be very difficult.

“We have to keep level-headed as we are not going to do what we did at Coventry, Scunthorpe and Sheffield United every year, so we need to just manage those expectations.

“But we would love to do it again and we will try.”

City go into the match on the back of successive victories over Alfreton Town, Bradford Park Avenue and Brackley Town.

In contrast, Telford have been struggling for form having lost 3-0 to Gloucester City and 3-1 to Gainsborough Trinity.

But Heeley insists his side must be ready for a “reaction” from their opponents, who are managed by Rob Smith.

“It’s going to be a tough game,” he said. “We want another cup run after the exploits of the last couple of years but so will Telford and their coaches will want a response from them as they are on a bit of a dip in form.

“So we will need to take all that desire and effort (from Tuesday) and produce it again today.”

There are doubts over the fitness of left-back Tyler Weir (hip) and midfielder Ebby Nelson-Addy (groin).

But Worcester look set to be boosted by the return of in-form striker Lee Hughes, who was ruled out of their encounter against Brackley due to a “tight hamstring”.

Midfielder Junior English completes his three-match ban, while centre-back Graham Hutchison is suspended following his sending off at Bradford last Saturday.

Experienced defender James Chambers could be recalled but Sam Oji appears to be the favourite to replace Hutchison after recovering from his knee problem.

“James has still been feeling his hamstring, so let’s see how it settles down,” Heeley added.

“Tyler has got a knock on the hip, Ebby is feeling his groin and there are a few other tired legs, and rightly so, after the efforts of the last two games.”