WORCESTER City's Craig Jones has revealed to the club's official website that he is "still a way off" playing again.

The City skipper has been out with an ankle injury since the start of last month following a horrific challenge in the 1-0 win over Racing Club Warwick.

Jones was carried off the field just moments after Aaron Birch scored the game’s only goal in the first-half and has been out since.

The former Bromsgrove Sporting centre-half has explained that whilst progress is being made, it remains a while before he is back out on the pitch.

"It's getting better as time goes on, Shannon (physio) is relatively happy with how it’s looking and expects it to look better and show more improvement after the next couple of weeks.

"It’s still swollen, but the pain is decreasing as the days go by.

"Unfortunately I think I’m still a way off playing, which is beginning to really frustrate me.

"The club and especially the gaffer (Tim Harris) have been great with me though, showing me a sense of loyalty that I’ve not always been used to in my non-league career. "I’m so grateful for that and hopefully I can go some way to repaying that loyalty in the not too distant future."

City have managed to cope reasonably well in Jones' absence, with Aaron Roberts stepping into his place, as well as taking the armband.

Worcester currently sit fifth in the Midland Football League Premier Division with 17 points from their 10 games so far.

Jones has been watching on from the sideline and says the team are in a "decent" place.

"We are in a good place at the moment," he added.

"There’s always room for improvement, but given what we’ve had available and the challenges we’ve faced over the start of the season, we are in a decent position.

"We now have a bigger squad that has quality and competition in every position which is so important.

"I think if we find some consistency, which at times has been lacking, we will go on to have a good season and win football matches.

"We have a really good group of lads and my injury aside, it’s been great to see the recent performances, wins and smiles on faces.

"I’d also like to take the opportunity to thank the fans who have messaged me privately or have stopped me at games to ask how I’m doing, I really appreciate it.

"Please keep turning up and supporting the team, you’re vital to what we want to achieve on and off the pitch as a club."

City are in league action this weekend when they face Tividale at Claines Lane, 3pm kick-off.