THE manager of Worcester City's FA Umbro Trophy opponents admits his side will be up against it in Saturday's fourth round tie.

Stalybridge Celtic boss Phil Wilson has sent scouts to watch City play twice ahead of the game at their Bower Fold ground.

And he admitted: "We know we have a game on our hands -- they are going quite well at the moment. They are going to be very, very hard to beat."

Wilson, in his second spell at Stalybridge, is familiar with several City players -- none more so than defender Bradley Sandeman, who played under him when he was in charge at Northwich Victoria.

He is aware of most of the ex-Conference players in John Barton's line-up, and knows of the dangers posed by City's 23-goal star striker Mark Owen.

But he believes his side are more than capable of posing problems for City.

"We have no real stars -- we have a lot of lads who work hard for each other, and several players who have been in the Conference and know what it is all about. We are a bit like Worcester really."

Stalybridge, situated on the eastern outskirts of Manchester, are in their second season back in the Unibond League Premier Division after a six-year stint in the Conference. They currently lie 11th in the table.

Striker Liam Robinson (Huddersfield, Tranmere, Bury, Bristol City, Burnley, Scarborough) and defender Mark Ogley (Burnley, Carlisle, Aldershot, York) are their only two players with extensive Football League experience.

But City will have to watch out for exciting striker Winfield Steele, who has 15 goals this season and recently turned down a move to Conference side Hednesford Town.

At the time of the draw, Stalybridge possessed a formidable home record -- but they have subsequently been beaten twice at Bower Fold, by leaders Leigh RMI and Whitby Town.

"Up to a week and a half ago we were unbeaten at home, but we have just had a little bit of a dip," added Wilson.

"We have had a few injury problems and we have been trying to catch up games from our FA Cup run, when we were knocked out by Chester.

"We were in with a shout in the league although that is not to say we can't get back on track, but we need to stay in the Trophy and keep interest going."