BATTLING Des Lyttle has ordered his Worcester City colleagues to "fight fire with fire" during Saturday's crunch FA Cup clash at Chippenham Town.

The veteran defender is expecting a rocky ride when the two sides collide in the first round showdown.

Despite their higher-league status, Lyttle does not subscribe to the view that City are favourites to triumph at Hardenhuish Park.

Town boast a formidable 100 per cent winning record at home, having won all 12 of their competitive matches this season, eight in the Southern Premier Division, three in the FA Cup and one in the FA Trophy.

While City clinched their first Nationwide North victory in nine attempts against Barrow three days ago, courtesy of Lyttle's winning header, Chippenham dispatched Rugby Town 4-0.

"We have got a massive task on our hands," said former Nottingham Forest star Lyttle. "Because Chippenham are a division below us, people think it will be a walkover. But it won't be like that.

"Chippenham are doing really well in the league and are strong at home. It's going to be tough.

"They will be decent and probably have a big set of lads, so we are going to have to weather the storm and fight fire with fire.

"Then, hopefully, our football will tell in the end.

"We've got one eye on getting through the tie and another eye on getting a Football League club in the next round. But we need to do the job first."

Around 800 Worcester fans are making the journey for the 3,000 all-ticket affair and Lyttle insists their support will be vital.

He added: "It's a great match for the fans and I hope they give us as much support as possible. They really helped us against Accrington Stanley and they came back for Barrow."

Meanwhile, Les Hines, Nick Colley and George Clegg are set to give their FA Cup selection chances a boost by playing for City's reserves at Alve-church tonight in the first round of the Worcestershire Senior Urn (7.45).

Hines returned to the bench on Saturday following a month lay-off with a thigh injury.

Clegg came on for a cameo substitute appearance against Accrington Stanley, but neither he nor Hines is at peak fitness.