HIT-and-miss Kaoui Attoumani’s starring role from the bench has made it “really hard for us to leave him out” of Worcester City’s trip to Lye Town tomorrow (3pm).

The French powerhouse stood out with a dominant midfield display in the second half of Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Shepshed Dynamo.

Attoumani, signed from Wolverhampton Sporting Community in December, has proved something of an enigma in blue and white so far, dazzling one week and disappointing the next.

But assistant manager Ashley Vincent was philosophical about his progress and reckons he has talents that are rarely found at City’s level.

“If he did perform to his potential every week he wouldn’t be at this level,” said Vincent.

“We have a team that can perform at a nine (out of 10) but then can perform at a three, we are looking for something around the six or seven mark week in, week out. That makes a team that can go on and win leagues.

“The problem with K is often a communication thing, he doesn’t speak great English although it is getting better.

“It means it is sometimes hard for his team-mates to give him instructions on the pitch and help him out and vice-versa.

“But what we see is someone who can quite obviously run a football game. I have played with some really good players in my time and it is very rare that you can get someone who can do that.

“I thought when he came on (against Shepshed) he pretty much did what he wanted to and made the game swing massively in our favour.

“He couldn’t have done that without a Sam (Hall) and Locko (Liam Lockett), he couldn’t express himself if they aren’t there, but it was a standout performance and as good as I’ve seen him play.

“Now it is really hard for us to leave him out.”

Luke English misses the trip to Stourbridge Road through suspension, a ban that will also see the full-back sit out the Worcestershire Senior Urn final against Studley next week.

Other than that and long-term absences, City hope to have the rest of their squad available at Lye with the aim of building on a strong finish against Shepshed.

“That second half was as good as I’ve seen us put together,” Vincent added.

“I enjoyed the 45 but was a bit disappointed with the draw. If it was a boxing match you would have stopped it around 80 minutes but we have to remember that Sam Gilder made a fantastic save when he was lobbed and saved a penalty.

“Callum McFarlane cleared one off the line so they would argue they could have scored four but then I’m thinking we could have had six. Our performance in the second half was enough to win the game.

"Still, it is okay playing like that but you have to take your chances. If you do that then you will be a very good side at this level.”