WORCESTER City will be without the injured Cieron Keane for today’s Vanarama National League North encounter at Boston United (3pm).

The former Notts County youngster cut his head open in the early stages of Worcester’s 3-0 loss to Brackley Town in the Emirates FA Cup last Saturday.

The 20-year-old, who has established himself as City’s first-choice left winger, scoring three goals in 14 appearances this season, received treatment to stop the bleeding.

But, after going to hospital, it was confirmed Keane would be unavailable for this weekend’s clash at the Jakemans Stadium where City bid to return to winning ways.

Manager Carl Heeley said: “Cieron had the wound on his head glued. They told him not to do any contact for two weeks, so he will not be available for this weekend.

“It is a shame as he was doing well for us. Hopefully, we will be able to get him back into training sometime next week.”

With Keane out, City aim to bolster their attacking options with a new signing ahead of the trip to Lincolnshire.

Tough-tackling Richard Batchelor left the club earlier this week, while there remains lingering doubts over the fitness of former Solihull Moors stalwart Junior English, who has been struggling with a back problem.

But attacking midfielder Ebby Nelson-Addy, who has been recovering from a tight groin, is expected to return.

“Junior has got something different to the other midfielders. He is a valuable asset to the squad and, at his best, he has done a good job for us,” said Heeley, whose injury list includes striker Steven Craig (Achilles), defender James Chambers (hamstring) and midfielder Connor Gater (toe).

“But we have got to get Junior free of his back niggle.

“Hopefully, Ebby will have recovered from his tight groin which kept him out last week.”

After a six-match unbeaten run, Worcester suffered back-to-back defeats at home to Nuneaton Town and Brackley.

However, Heeley said he “would not be surprised” if 15th-placed City, who have won their last three games on the road, beat Boston.

“We have done better away from home but it’s about getting back to what we were doing in September and I am sure we will,” he said.

“So as much as the last two games were disappointing, we have just got to move on to the next one and put things right.”

Heeley admitted he was wary of a backlash from mid-table Boston, who were also knocked out of the FA Cup last weekend, losing 2-0 at Kettering Town.

“Everybody is talking about us needing to bounce back but Boston are going to need to bounce back as well, so it should be an interesting fixture,” he said.

Meanwhile, City have approached League One side Port Vale about prolonging goalkeeper Ryan Boot’s loan deal.

Heeley added: “Ryan is available for today but we have enquired about extending that loan and I am waiting to get some feedback.”