MANAGER Carl Heeley says he will use the visit of runaway leaders AFC Fylde today (3pm) as a “benchmark” for his Worcester City side.

The “very ambitious” Lancashire outfit will arrive at the Victoria Ground riding high at the top of the Vanarama National League North.

Heeley has refused to shy away from the challenge facing his team, who are in 13th place and 22 points behind their lofty opponents.

However, he says it is a chance to show how far they have come and see how they match up against the “best side in the league”.

“They have got great resources, are a very ambitious club and have got big aspirations to get into the Football League,” Heeley said.

“If you look at their squad, they don’t seem to have any weaknesses as they have got a very high calibre of players, so it is going to be tough for us.

“But it is a test to see how far we have come.”

After slumping to the foot of the table at the end of August, the Blue and Whites have made big strides and are now looking to extend their three-match home winning run.

“Our form has been generally good after the first month of the season, so it is a benchmark to see how we come up against the best side in the league,” continued Heeley.

“Hopefully, we can give them a good game.”

City progressed to the first round of the FA Trophy on Monday night thanks to a 2-1 victory over Curzon Ashton Last season, Worcester beat Fylde 3-2 at Kellamergh Park in January before holding them to a 2-2 draw on the closing day of the campaign.

Since then, Dave Challinor’s side have moved into a 6,000-seater stadium at Mill Farm and lost just one of 19 league games this term.

“What we have got to remember is where we are as a club and where some of the clubs we are competing against are,” Heeley said.

“Today is a prime example as you have got a club who have just moved into a new stadium with great resources behind them, whereas we have been homeless for a number of years, so we are at different ends of the spectrum.

“But, as much as there are challenges we face outside of our control, it doesn’t stop us trying to beat the best side in the league.”

Veteran striker Lee Hughes looks set to return to the starting line-up after coming off the bench at Curzon.

Midfielder Chekaine Steele, who was also a second-half substitute, improved his chances of a recall with a late winner.

Tom Sharpe and Graham Hutchison are expected to remain at the heart of City’s defence with centre-back Sam Oji continuing to overcome his quad injury.

Experienced defender James Chambers, who has been battling back from a torn hamstring, has had a “light session” this week but Heeley says he is “unlikely” to be available.

He added: “We are aspiring to do better like everybody else, so nobody will get an easy run against us.

“We are not going to roll over for anybody — that’s for certain.”