WORCESTER City midfielder Aaron Birch has been sidelined by a chipped bone in his foot.

Manager Ashley Vincent expects the ex-Hereford man to miss up to a month but was relieved to hear rest would do the trick after pain endured following the match at Sporting Khalsa earlier this month saw Birch head to hospital.

Birch had started all six matches prior to last week’s FA Cup exit at home to Stafford Rangers and Vincent acknowledged he would be missed as City look to bag a first Midland Football League Premier Division win of the season at the fifth attempt when Coventry Sphinx head to Claines Lane tomorrow (Wednesday, 7.45).

“Birchy did it early on in the Khalsa game and played on, he went to the hospital on the Sunday and they found a slight chip (to the bone) in the top of his foot,” said the City manager.

“It is nothing serious or that needs fixing, he just needs to have three-to-four weeks with no contact on that area and he should be back as right as rain.

“We are gutted for Birchy. He has been playing really well, is a bundle of energy and covers ground really well so he will be missed but this is why we have a strong squad.

“The boys have to keep putting in performances and get some wins on the board so he comes back into a winning team.”