WORCESTER City’s injury concerns appear to be easing with several players expected to return to training this week.

Cieron Keane (head) and Colby Bishop (dead leg) were the latest to pick up knocks after being ruled out of City’s National League North clash at Boston United on Saturday.

With James Chambers (hamstring), Steven Craig and Connor Gater (toe) also missing, manager Carl Heeley praised his side’s efforts as they ground out a 0-0 draw at the Jakemans Stadium.

However, City’s boss is hopeful of having both wide player Keane and forward Bishop back to face struggling Stalybridge Celtic at the Victoria Ground on Saturday (3pm).

“They (the injuries) do (seem to have come all at once) but that’s the way it goes sometimes,” Heeley said.

“You just have to deal with it and play the players you have. You could see on Saturday that, even though we had players missing, they’ve worked incredibly hard and got a well-deserved point.”

Heeley, who signed winger Micah Evans from AFC Telford United in response to Keane’s injury, added: “We just need one or two players back, so hopefully Cieron and Colby will be available.

“Colby took a knock to his hip, so he’s had a dead leg and has really struggled with it. We thought he would be OK but he couldn’t play.”

Striker Steven Craig was set to feature at the weekend after recovering from an Achilles problem but Heeley revealed the 35-year-old had a “personal issue he needed to deal with”.

“We were lacking options to change it on the front foot as Hughesy was looking a bit tired at the end,” Heeley said.

“But I am always loathe to drag him off as he’s got that knack of nicking a goal.

“Steven had an injection and trained the other night, so he would have been available, but sadly he had to go back up to Scotland on Friday, which was more important.”

There were fears Connor Gater might have to undergo surgery to repair his problematic toe which has kept him out of action this season.

But the 24-year-old midfielder is due to return to training after having an injection in his foot.

Heeley also confirmed former West Brom and Leicester City defender Chambers was close to making his first appearance in more than a month for Worcester.

“Connor should be back in training this week and Chambo trained throughout last week but he wasn’t ready for Saturday,” Heeley added.

“But he could possibly be available this weekend as well. We need options and competition for places and, when all our players are back available to us, we will have that.”