WORCESTER City must be mentally tough to prevent unfashionable Hinckley inflicting a first defeat of the season on John Barton's side tonight (7.45).

Captain Carl Heeley will stress that to his team-mates ahead of the clash at one of the least alluring grounds in the Dr Martens Premier Division.

Middlefield Lane on a cold, wet autumnal evening is a million miles away from the salubrious setting of Saturday's trip to Crawley's Broadfield Stadium.

On paper City would appear clear favourites, but Heeley is taking nothing for granted despite emerging undefeated from two difficult matches with Tamworth and Crawley.

"The league position would suggest we are looking forward to a win but anybody who has played at Hinckley knows it is all about having the right mental approach," he said.

"It's the opposite to Saturday at Crawley in their new stadium and this is about attitude and I think if we get that right we have got enough ability to come away with three points."

Barton will be without Mark Shail but Jon Holloway looks sets to continue in his place while the injured David Foy is unlikely to feature.

In the space of a few days City's squad suddenly looks stretched if long term injury victims Stewart Hadley and Marc Burrow are included.

"In a few days our squad has gone from looking quite strong to a bit thin on the ground with the injuries to Mark, David Foy and the loss of Michael Black-wood," said Heeley.

"But on the plus side we have got Allan Davies and Leon Jackson to come in and young Dan Jones shouldn't be underestimated either.

"I'd have no problem with him being thrown in, I think he could do a job for us."

City will be aiming to make it 10 matches unbeaten and have an added incentive to go into their centenary game with Stafford on Friday still top of the league.

"Our aim is to win every game but the good thing is that even when we have not played well we managed to remain unbeaten."

FORMCAST: Worcester to win 2-0.