Worcester City manager Carl Heeley reluctant to "push" fit-again James Chambers

The former Leicester City, West Brom and Watford player has been steadily working back to full fitness since tearing his hamstring in early September.

Worcester face two games in six days as they host Kidderminster Harriers on Boxing Day before tackling their local rivals at Aggborough on New Year’s Day.

Chambers suffered a recurrence of the injury in training in October which further delayed his comeback.

And the 36-year-old looks unlikely to feature in either game over the festive period with Heeley insisting he wanted to “take time” in getting him ready for a return.

“James has trained for the last couple of weeks but he has been out for a long period of time and we don’t want to push that and have another recurrence,” Heeley said.

“To come this far with him, we might as well take our time and make sure he is right.”

However, City’s manager will be hoping to have centre-back Tom Sharpe fit to face his former club.

The ex-Harriers player was forced off with a knee problem seven minutes into the second half in Worcester’s 1-1 draw at Gainsborough Trinity last Saturday.

“Although his knee was not giving him any discomfort, it was clicking so obviously that is a concern,” said Heeley, who brought on fit-again Sam Oji in place of Sharpe.

“We took him off more as a precaution. He probably could have got through it if needed but when you have got a centre-half on the bench there is no need to take risks.”

The Blue and Whites are also set to find out the extent of striker Colby Bishop’s knee injury sustained against York City this month.

Heeley had feared the damage was “serious” after the 20-year-old was carried off the pitch on a stretcher but said he was optimistic about getting some “positive news” this week.

“Colby feels the knee is improving and he has been able to do some static leg work which is great news,” he added.

“Hopefully we will have a positive outcome on that and maybe not be as bad as first feared.”