Injured City duo ready for comeback

6:03pm Monday 21st July 2008

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MANAGER Richard Dryden says the quality of pre-season opponents is holding Worcester City in good stead.

City have so far tackled Cheltenham, Walsall and Nuneaton Town in their build-up to the new Blue Square South campaign and, although they failed to score in all three games, Dryden was pleased with way his players acquitted themselves.

Tomorrow night they welcome last season’s Blue Square North champions Kettering Town to St George’s Lane as the pre-season programme begins to pick up pace (7.45).

Midfielder Dave Bampton may return to the side after missing Saturday’s 0-0 draw against Nuneaton with an ankle injury, while goalkeeper Danny McDonnell should be fit to feature following the knock he picked up in training last week.

The Poppies, managed by Dryden’s former Tamworth colleague Mark Cooper, are expected to field a host of first-team players following their 2-0 victory over FC United of Manchester at the weekend.

Among those likely to be on parade will be former Walsall midfielder Darren Wrack, ex-Nottingham Forest defender Nicky Eaden and prolific goalscorer Gareth Seddon — a new signing from Hyde United.

Dryden said: “It’s another good game, it’s a bit lower standard than a Walsall or Cheltenham match.

“Mark Cooper has lost a few players to teams like Stevenage and some good players have moved on but he’s brought in some good signings like Seddon from Hyde, who was probably one of the best forwards in Blue Square North last season.

“It’s a good work-out for us. It’s important we play teams with a better quality squad from a league above to prove ourselves.

“We showed how well we could do against Cheltenham and, for the majority of the game, we proved how well we can play against Nuneaton.”

It is also another chance for players to increase their fitness levels after many tired towards the end of the Nuneaton match.