VETERAN defender James Chambers has been ruled out of Worcester City’s final day survival showdown with AFC Fylde at Mill Farm on Saturday (3pm).

The former Leicester City, Watford and West Brom star was forced off with a hamstring injury in Worcester’s 2-1 defeat to Salford City at the weekend.

Caretaker assistant boss Danny Jackman said it was a “big blow” to lose the 36-year-old, insisting his experience would have been “vital” to their bid to beat champions Fylde.

Chambers has struggled with injuries since coming out of retirement to play for City this season.

But when he has played, he has helped shore up Worcester’s defence as they have conceded just seven goals in his last seven appearances.

“I think it is a bad hamstring injury,” Jackman said.

“He may have torn it so that’s a big blow for us as he is a big player. His experience going into next week would have been vital for us.

“He will be no good for Saturday and injuries are mounting up, but that’s the way it goes when you are down there.”

Tom Sharpe is expected to replace Chambers at right-back after making an impact off the bench on Saturday, setting up Jordan Murphy for City’s equaliser.

The experienced Junior English’s right leg was heavily strapped for the game against Salford as he continues to “nurse” a hamstring problem which looked like ruling him out for the season.

The 31-year-old lasted 86 minutes before making way for young striker Aaron Brett who made his first-team debut.

Attacking midfielder Ebby Nelson-Addy also has an issue with his knee which he is due to have a scan on at the end of this term.

But Jackman insists it is case of “patching people up” as they aim to make one final effort to avoid relegation.

Worcester are third from bottom, one point behind Gainsborough Trinity who travel to FC United of Manchester on Saturday.

“Junior is probably still nursing his hamstring a little bit,” Jackman added.

“He’s not had the game time that he would have ideally had just to ease himself in and has not had that much training, so it is a case of patching people up and getting them out there.

“But that’s part and parcel of football these days.

“It is frustrating to lose Chambo and then lose in the circumstances we did.

“But I don’t think there are any other injures.

“I know Chekaine (Steele) and Chambo are out, but we have still got players so we will see what we can do this week.”