WORCESTER City's SOS goalkeeper Aaron Kerr said he is shocked to be back at St George's Lane following the second rib injury blow to Danny McDonnell.

Northern Ireland U21 international Kerr made six appearances for City after McDonnell cracked his ribs during the Nationwide North draw at Hucknall Town on August 30.

McDonnell returned for last Saturday's FA Cup defeat with Cambridge City but suffered three broken ribs and a punctured lung in a collision with his own captain Carl Heeley.

He was released from Worcestershire Royal Hospital last night but will be out of action until Christmas.

Former Walsall keeper Kerr, 21, enters the fray again tomorrow night as City take on league leaders Alfreton Town looking to halt a four-match losing streak. City's board of directors are paying out of their own pockets to fly Kerr over from his family home in Carrickfergus.

Kerr said: "My heart really went out to Danny when I was told he was injured again. It's such a shame for him because it's a serious injury.

"Danny said last week that he felt fine but perhaps it did not heal as well as anybody thought, I don't know. It's a bit of an odd injury for a goalkeeper and I was surprised when it happened the first time.

"I think this time, Danny has just got to take that little bit longer to recover from it, he's got to be so sure that his body is absolutely 100 percent the next time he goes out onto the pitch.

"From my own experience, there have been goalkeepers who play through injuries because they want to play every game. When I was at Walsall, Jimmy Walker had an ankle injury for quite a long time yet was fit for every game -- just when I thought I was going to get my big chance.

"At the top level in the Premiership, they would not let that happen. However, I'm not saying that is the case with Danny because he was coming back from a serious rib and lung injury.

"I got the call from Worcester on Saturday. I've had a few phone calls from other clubs in the Conference. But Worcester gave me the chance to play and my loyalty is with them."

n City beat Southport 3-1 in their opening Football Conference Youth League Northern Division match of the season. Tom Hobbs, Andy Owen and Troy Wood scored Worcester's goals.