WORCESTER City are “on target” to retain their Vanarama National League North status, according to Carl Heeley.

However, the City manager has warned his players their position in the team will be at risk if they become “complacent” in their bid to avoid the drop.

After the first 16 league games of the season, City find themselves in 12th place on 19 points following five wins, four draws and seven losses.

They are also 10 points clear of the relegation zone having notably claimed victories over bottom three sides Stalybridge Celtic, Altrincham and Bradford Park Avenue.

City’s 48-point haul last term was enough to secure their safety and Heeley says they are focused on maintaining their stay in the sixth tier.

But, with 26 matches left, City’s boss insists they have “not got anywhere near” to achieving their goal.

“There is a long way to go, so let’s try and get as many points to retain our status and as soon as we get to that mark we can look at how far we can finish up the league,” he said.

“I know what we have got in the changing room and I know what our ambitions are but, first and foremost, we have to try to retain our status.

“That’s always been the goal and we are on target to do that but we have not got anywhere near to doing it yet.

“We are not even halfway through the season. But if we can keep that points tally ticking over then it will be welcome.”

It has been an impressive turnaround from the Blue and Whites, who slumped to the foot of the table at the end of August after seven games without a win.

City’s current mid-table position has been largely down to a run of three successive wins in September.

They also finished October on a high with a 3-0 victory over 10-man Altrincham at the Victoria Ground last Saturday.

But, with games against high-fliers AFC Fylde and Kidderminster Harriers to play before the turn of the year, Heeley knows his team cannot afford to relax.

“Nobody will get complacent at this club nor rest on their laurels and think they can get away with things,” said Heeley, whose side return to action next Saturday when they host AFC Telford United.

“Because, if they do, they won’t be in the starting 11. We set high standards and we want the players to maintain them for their own personal reasons and for the football club.”