JOINT-manager Carl Heeley insists it is “not out of the question” for Worcester City to sign a player on a permanent deal.

The Blue and Whites suffered another injury blow on Saturday when Tristian Dunkley was forced off during their 2-1 defeat to Corby Town with a dislocated shoulder.

Heeley said the injury, which he believed could keep the winger out for up to five weeks, left City to consider bolstering their squad before going to Vanarama National League North high-fliers AFC Fylde on Saturday (3pm).

“We are having to rely on the loan market a bit at the moment just to get the numbers,” said Heeley, who has already got Ethan Ross, George Cleet, Shaun Donnellan, Jordan Murphy and Amadou Bakayoko on loan. “You can only have five loan players on every teamsheet, so we are restricted to what we can actually do.”

When asked whether City could offer a new recruit a permanent contract, he added: “There are a couple of obstacles.

“Those we want to sign we can’t necessarily afford and it is sometimes difficult to attract players to a struggling side.

“But we will keep looking. It is about players who are around at whatever level we can afford and who are better than what we have got.

“But it is not out of the question that we would take a permanent player.”

Heeley said he was “gutted” for Dunkley as the pacey attacker had starred in Worcester’s last five games before landing awkwardly in the first half against Corby.

“Tristan has dislocated the same shoulder he did last season,” Heeley said.

“It was an innocuous challenge. Sam Minihan went for the ball and I think he has headed Tristian in the back of the neck and, as he has landed, his shoulder has come out.

“It is terrible luck for him because he has done really well. He has been ever so patient to get his opportunity and he has been doing superbly well to stay in the side and then this happens.

“But it opens the door up for somebody else.

“It might be an opportunity for young Jamie Smith because we rate him highly. He has got a great left peg and needs a run of games.”

With City trailing 1-0 with 12 minutes left against struggling Corby, Ellis Deeney was substituted for the first time this season and Heeley defended his decision to replace his captain.

“Ellis wasn’t at his best and we were trying to salvage something out of the game,” he said.

“Connor Gater is a very good player and we just felt Danny Jackman was the better of the two central midfield players on the day.

“It doesn’t matter who comes off. It is about 11 players and trying to get a result, so if that is Ellis or anyone else for that matter then we will make those decisions.”