FULL-BACK Tyler Weir insists everyone at managerless Worcester City must “stick together” as they bid to fight off relegation without departed boss Carl Heeley.

Struggling City take on play-off chasing Tamworth at Bromsgrove’s Victoria Ground tomorrow (3pm) in their first match since Heeley stepped down as manager.

The 48-year-old ended his seven-year reign after Gloucester City extended Worcester’s winless run in National League North to 10 matches with a 3-0 thrashing last weekend.

Weir said he was “gutted” to see Heeley go and thanked the ex-City skipper for standing by him during his two-month suspension from football last year.

The 26-year-old was banned after failing to immediately declare to the Football Association he had been approached to fix a match.

“Carl is the only manager I have had in the four years I have been here and he has done so much for me,” Weir said.

“It is about a year ago to the day when I was banned by the FA.

“I could have got sacked but Carl stood by me and I will be forever grateful for that.”

However, having not registered a league win since November 12, Weir admitted he and his team-mates were to blame for Heeley’s decision to call it a day.

“Carl and (assistant boss John Snape) do as much as they can for us but once we cross the white line it is up to us,” he continued.

“We have let him down and he has resigned. We are all gutted and ashamed of ourselves.”

Weir described Worcester’s first-half display at Whaddon Road as “totally unacceptable” as they fell behind to early goals from Luke Hopper and Ross Finnie.

But he insisted City, who are five points and two places above the drop zone in the league, must pick themselves up quickly to avoid getting sucked into the bottom three.

“The boys were a bit down at training,” he said.

“But we have got to keep our heads up and move on. We have got to get some wins to make sure we are safe.”

Striker Lee Hughes is back available after completing his four-match ban but left midfielder Cieron Keane remains suspended.

Winger Chay Scrivens is set to make his debut after joining on loan from West Bromwich Albion, while captain Danny Jackman and attacking midfielder Micah Evans could also feature after returning to training following long injury lay-offs.

Weir said the City faithful’s support at home would also play a key role in their battle for survival as they prepare to host seventh-placed Tamworth.

“With the players we have got we should be in the top 10,” he added.

“Injuries have affected that but that’s football and we have not dealt with it as well as we could have done.

“It is a shame to see Carl go as it was down to us. But the fans need to stick with us.

“We need to make Bromsgrove a fortress for the next two or three months as we have got some tough games coming up.

“It is not going to be easy but this is where we need everyone to stick together so we can pull through it.”