MANAGER Ashley Vincent insists Dan Jezeph will be given “every chance” to recover in time for Worcester City's big FA Vase showdown on Sunday.

City’s regular goalkeeper missed Saturday’s 3-2 defeat at Coventry Sphinx in Midland Football League (MFL) Premier Division due to suspected flu.

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Vincent revealed Jezeph had attended hospital and been prescribed medication with the management team set to assess his fitness on Thursday.

His prognosis will be at the forefront of fans’ minds ahead of a last-64 tie at home to Shepshed Dynamo, an MFL rival until the summer and currently top of United Counties League Premier Division despite losing their 100 per cent league record at second-placed Quorn on Saturday.

“Dan has a really nasty virus, he has been to hospital to have a chest X-ray because he felt some dizziness as well,” said Vincent.

“We think it is flu – and we are not talking man flu either – we need to keep an eye on him but hopefully the antibiotics he has been given will settle him down and we can reassess him going into the latter part of the week.”

Asked whether City could seek another keeper in time for the Shepshed match, Vincent replied: “I think it is too early to look into that.

“Dan will be given every chance, he is a top-class keeper and hopefully he will be back.”

Jezeph's understudy Gabriel Bajrami stepped in at Sphinx for his second City appearance having conceded five on his competitive debut against Malvern Town in the Worcestershire Senior Cup last month.

Saturday was another testing afternoon but Vincent was quick to point out the rookie had not been done many favours in either outing.

“In the two games he has played we have let him down in the sense of leaving him open to things,” Vincent added.

“He conceded three but I want to give him a massive pat on the back for keeping us in the game by making a first-class save down to his right.

“For a young man in those conditions, with it being launched on him all day, I think he handled himself well. His temperament was fantastic.”

The other maybe going into Saturday’s showdown was frontrunner Demetri Brown who had been withdrawn with a rolled ankle during the first half of a 6-0 win over Lye Town on Wednesday.

“Demetri was due to have a fitness test before the game but even when jogging you could tell it was way too soon,” said Vincent.

“We are hoping it will be totally settled by Thursday.”

Vincent confirmed centre-half Joe Hawkins, out since picking up a hamstring injury against Malvern, would miss the Shepshed clash.