WORCESTER City could be forced to use an outfield player in goal for Saturday’s final league match at St George’s Lane if their keeper injury crisis does not ease.

Matt Sargeant and Glyn Thompson both have thigh injuries, with the former struggling through last weekend’s 2-0 defeat at Brackley Town despite not being fit.

James Dormand, the other keeper registered to City, requires knee surgery but Worcester have been refused permission to draft in emergency cover.

That means manager Carl Heeley may have to turn to one of his outfield players to deputise for what is City’s last ever match at their century-old home.

Versatile midfielder Rob Elvins played in goal during a pre-season friendly win at Bashley last August but to use him in a league game, which is also against the Blue Square Bet North champions, would be a gamble.

Heeley, who has criticised the Football Conference’s ruling to stop him signing cover, said: “If it got to the point when neither of them could play because of injury or weren’t prepared to, I would have little choice but to play an outfield player in goal.

“I am hoping that, given a free week with no games, that one of them will improve sufficiently to play but at the moment we will play an injured keeper or an outfield player.

“I have a duty of care to my players but I am being forced into playing a player while they’re injured and that’s not a duty of care.”

Sargeant, who has started 17 games this term, was unable to take goal kicks at Brackley and was also unable to move sufficiently to prevent either of the goals Worcester conceded.

Meanwhile, captain Stuart Whitehead believes City’s season of contrasting fortunes will make them stronger for the future.

Three wins in their last five matches has been a welcome relief following a run of nine straight defeats that saw them plummet down the table.

Central defender Whitehead said: “There are a lot of lessons to be learned this season and for all the ability that we’ve got it’s about making the right decisions and doing the right things at the right time.

“Hopefully that has been learned and we’ll take it into next season.

“I think we’re playing better but it’s been a steep learning curve since Christmas and we will be better because of it.”