STRIKER Mark Danks argued Worcester City's troubled trip to Shawbury United would test "the character of the club let alone the players".

The 33-year-old hitman delivered an impassioned defence of City's squad on the back of the 2-1 away defeat at the Midland League strugglers.

Danks was sent off in Ludlow and begins his three-match ban as Worcester look to bounce back against South Normanton Athletic at the Victoria Ground tomorrow (3pm).

“It is a long season," said Danks. "If the fans think we’re not bothered, that could not be further from the truth.

“These things happen, you have to earn the right to win games. These are the games we need to be winning if we want the title, yes, and now we have to win big games against teams that are up there.

"But we have played four of the top five and had good results, losing to Coventry United when we had half a team out.

“People have the ability to make a mountain out of a molehill, we lost a game of football.

“If we lose the next game in that manner then of course there would be questions. It will be interesting to see how many people turn their backs, though.

“Let’s not forget how we’ve been playing and winning. Did Chelsea throw in the towel after they lost on the opening day against Burnley? No, you pick yourselves up, go again and learn from it.

“We’ll see the character of the club let alone the players over the next few weeks."

But Danks was keen to stress there would be no shirking responsibility for a result that damaged City's bright start to the campaign.

“If you speak to any of the lads they would say it was not good enough and a big, big wake-up call,” he added.

“Maybe we got a bit too comfortable, thinking we were going to walk away with it against some teams. We need to have a massive look at it, everybody in the team.

“It is probably a good thing that it happened now rather than when we’re fighting for the title."

Joint-boss John Snape is hopeful Jamie Smith and Josh Sarmento will recover from the knocks that forced their withdrawals at Shawbury but Mat Birley is expected to miss out after receiving a blow to the head in the same match.

On what to expect from City's opponents, Snape said: “We have received some information on them, they have a couple of big lads and will no doubt give us a thorough test.

“As I said earlier this week, actions speak louder than words with our lot. I think a few people let themselves down at Shawbury and we will be looking for an improvement all round.

“No one is going to roll over and let you tickle their belly. You have to earn results."