WORCESTER City manager Andy Preece has challenged his side to take the next step and break into the top seven of Blue Square North.

City head to Alfreton Town on Saturday knowing victory will ensure they are in the league's top 10 with 10 games of the season gone.

The St George's Lane side, who drew 0-0 against Solihull Moors on Monday, have gone five matches unbeaten to climb the table following a disappointing start to the campaign.

Preece said: "We just want to keep the run going as long as we can. The longer it continues, the more progress we are going to make.

"We have managed to cling in there and it's just a matter of keeping it going and trying to consolidate that.

"We have got to be looking to break into the top seven and take it step-by-step."

Worcester are bouyed by the news Rapinder Gill is ready to return to the defence after shaking off his ankle problem but Preece could be forced into yet more changes at the back.

Patrece Liburd played for the best part of an hour on Monday with a dead leg and Ryan Clarke, hoping to face his former club, damaged his foot.

Preece said: "With us playing on the Monday, we have had that extra 24 hours and I would be hopeful they would both be fit but there could be a possibility that come Saturday they might not be OK.

"We don't want to be changing too much but with Rapinder Gill coming back that gives us an option. If one doesn't make it, it won't be as big a blow."

Midfielder Graham Ward and striker Mark Danks are having treatment on back complaints and will feature, while Nick Colley should again make the bench.

The return to the Impact Arena of Clarke and Emeka Nwadike will attract a lot of interest but Preece says the pair are focused on ensuring their new side continue their recent record against the Reds.

City took four points off Alfreton last season, winning 2-0 in Derbyshire in April after being held to a 0-0 stalemate at St George's Lane last August.

Preece added: "They will both want to play and do well because they want to do well for Worcester City.

"They both had good times there but players move on and they are Worcester players now."

But while City take form into the fixture, Nicky Law's side are struggling at the wrong end of the table with just two wins from nine matches.

The Reds did register impressive back-to-back victories against Tamworth and Boston at the end of last month but have since taken one point from four games and slipped to 19th.

Law has made wholesale changes to the squad since taking over during the summer and only three players remain from the April meeting.