BRAD Birch is determined to defy initial assessments of his ankle injury in order to feature in Worcester City’s home clash with Shepshed Dynamo on Saturday.

The stand-in skipper, handed the armband following Tyler Weir’s departure to Hednesford, was carried off 23 minutes into Saturday’s 4-3 extra-time win at Boldmere in the FA Vase.

PLAYER RATINGS: Boldmere 3 City 4

MATCH VERDICT: Boldmere 3 City 4 

AS IT HAPPENED: Boldmere 3 City 4

Birch was left irate over the challenge which saw him limp off with three stud marks that drew blood from the top part of his foot and equally unhappy with his early prognosis.

“In my eyes it was a pretty dangerous tackle. If you look at my foot there are three little holes above my ankle bone so I don’t know what the referee (David Critchlow) saw,” said Birch.

“I did not get an explanation but you have to get on with it and go with what they say. It made for a very frustrating day.

“It will be assessed this week but I want to be playing on Saturday, that’s my aim. I am being told no and I will take precautions with it but I do want to be out there. We’ll have to wait and see.”

On the match, Birch added: “You have to give the lads credit. To go behind in extra-time and still win was brilliant, especially when we had Mark Danks struggling after we had used all three substitutes.

“We made it hard for ourselves and cannot keep missing all these chances and expect to win games all of the time.

"The main thing was getting through to the next round. It was tough but everyone was happy.”

Meanwhile, Birch gave a special mention to the travelling City faithful.

“We love the fact the fans travel in such good numbers and get behind us like they do,” he said.

“Long may that continue because them cheering us on helps us to win games.”