STRIKER Sean Brain is battling to fully recover from an illness ahead of Worcester City’s trip to Highgate United on Saturday (3pm).

Manager Ashley Vincent revealed Brain was struggling with a sickness bug prior to City’s Boxing Day clash with Haughmond at the Victoria Ground.

The frontman was deemed fit to start only to last just 36 minutes before making way for Jordan Harrison.

But Vincent is hoping Brain will be firing on all cylinders when City visit Highgate in the Midland League Premier Division.

“Sean has a bug which has been going around,” Vincent said.

“I spoke to him on Christmas Eve and he told me he might be struggling for the Haughmond game (Boxing Day).

“From what he told us he managed to have a bite to eat on Christmas Day and started to feel a bit better, but we could see he was drained and had nothing in his body.

“He came in feeling sprightly but once he got out there and it was time to put his foot on the gas, he had nothing to go with.

“Hopefully he will eat and drink well over the next couple of days and will be fine for Highgate. The Haughmond match was just a bit too early.”

Luke English will be back from suspension with Jamie Smith also available again after a family commitment ruled him out against Haughmond.

“It is down to me to pick a squad to compete at Highgate,” Vincent said.

“We know it will be tough but again, we will look for those moments in the game where we can make bits of quality show.”

Callum Ebanks has been brought in on a flexible work experience deal from Cheltenham Town.

But the 17-year-old forward was an unused substitute in the 3-1 win over Haughmond.

“It is an open thing for both parties, we have a fantastic relationship with Cheltenham, I coach there and played for them,” Vincent said.

“It is a chance to bolster the numbers over the Christmas period and if we can get him some minutes we will.

“He has a bright future ahead of him.

“He is a young boy so I am conscious of putting him at risk on some of the pitches but we know he is ready for that first taste of men’s football somewhere along the line.

“Marlon (Walters, assistant manager) and I went to watch him play against Arsenal in the FA Youth Cup.

“He is a good, old-fashioned hold-up man at six-foot-three and about 15 stone and that’s trim.

“He is a big lad who takes it in, sets it and is physical.

“We are talking about a 17-year-old, though, so there is being physical against his peers and then having to do that against seasoned opponents at this level.

“We do have to protect him.

“But he is a talent who scores lots of goals in his age group and above.”