WORCESTER City could be forced to dip into the loan market if young striker Colby Bishop’s injury is “as bad as first feared”.

The talented 20-year-old missed Worcester’s 1-1 draw at Gainsborough Trinity in Vanarama National League North on Saturday after damaging his knee in their FA Trophy tie at York City the previous weekend.

Manager Carl Heeley is still waiting to find out the extent of the injury, which resulted in him being carried off on a stretcher and ending up on crutches.

But he admitted Bishop had “a lot of discomfort in his knee”.

“We are waiting for the swelling to go down fully but there was no chance he could play at the weekend,” he said.

“He has still got a lot of discomfort in his knee, which isn’t a great sign to be honest, but fingers crossed the damage is not as bad as first feared.”

Bishop, who came through the ranks at Notts County before being released in the summer, has netted seven times this season.

“I don’t know (how long he will be out for). That is down to the physios,” Heeley continued.

“If it is felt it needs to be scanned we will have to look at that but it is too early to say.

“When there was swelling around the injury he wasn’t in all last week because the physios told him to stay away and get it iced.

“But we need to know sooner rather than later, so hopefully we will find out this week.”

With other injuries, Heeley revealed he may look at strengthening his squad as they prepare to face local rivals Kidderminster Harriers at the Victoria Ground on Boxing Day and at Aggborough on New Year’s Day.

“We didn’t bring anyone in on loan before Saturday’s game but we will obviously assess it and make a decision this week,” Heeley said.

“We may have players back available for the Christmas period, so it is a tough one to call at the moment until we know the extent of Colby’s injury.”