FRUSTRATED Andy Preece failed to clinch a loan signing ahead of injury-ravaged Worcester City's daunting FA Cup fourth qualifying round clash at Accrington Stanley tomorrow.

With the likelihood of seven City players sidelined for the Interlink Express Stadium tie, player-boss Preece was desperate to add a fresh face and give his side the best possible chance of pulling off a cup surprise.

But despite making endless enquiries to draft in a fresh face, most likely a midfielder, Preece has struck a brick wall.

"It's difficult because managers don't want their players cup-tied," said Preece. "I've spoken to a number of clubs this week about bringing somebody in short-term.

"But it's finding the right player and getting the manager to allow them to play. It's not too bad in the league, but different in the cup.

"We will go to Accrington with what we've got. As things stand, we've not got any more options than the players currently fit and available."

Preece was already without injured Jai Stanley (knee), George Clegg (ligament), Les Hines (thigh), James Smith (neck) and Nick Colley (hamstring).

Left-back Shabir Khan is now added to that list, having pulled a groin muscle in the first-half of City's 1-0 home defeat to Nuneaton Borough on Monday.

There are also concerns over midfielder Tom Warmer, who has suffered dizzy spells and blurred vision over the past week.

Preece added: "It looks as though Shabir is out. He pulled something in his groin area and it is very sore for him. That's just another one to the injury list.

"We don't know the full extent of the injury, but we'll monitor it and see how Shabir feels over the next couple of days.

"We were looking to play Tom in the reserve fixture (against Burton) on Tuesday, but he was feeling dizzy. The virus he's had is quite serious."

If Warmer fails to make a speedy recovery, utility player Danny Hodnett is likely to maintain his place in midfield alongside 16-year-old prospect Sam Wedgbury and captain Graham Hyde.

Creative responsibilities are, therefore, likely to fall at the feet of wing-backs Liam McDonald and Rob Warner, although they are unlikely to push forward too much against a strong Stanley outfit.

The in-form East Lancastrians are fourth in the Conference and were within a whisker of dumping League One Rotherham United out of the LDV Vans Trophy in mid-week, eventually losing on penalties after a 3-3 draw.

Preece said: "We watched Accrington on Tuesday and they were much the better side. They may be tired a bit after that, but they will also be fired up after losing.

"We will show them respect, but not too much or we'll be on the back foot for most of the game.

"We'll go there with a plan. I don't like staying behind the ball and trying to soak up pressure for most of the game, because eventually you can come undone.

"We must be positive and try and take the game to them when we can. It's going to be a challenge."

n Redditch United host Workington in Nationwide North tomorrow (3pm).