LEON Kelly faces a direct battle with Mark Danks for a starting place tonight as Worcester City aim to complete successive Nationwide North wins at Hinckley United (7.45).

Kelly was suspended at Gainsborough on Saturday when City registered their first away league win of the campaign.

His one-game ban made Andy Preece's decision to hand Danks a debut that much easier and the 21-year-old carried off a good individual performance against Trinity.

More importantly for player-manager Preece, Danks sparked an encouraging partnership with Adam Webster, scorer of Worcester's last-gasp winner.

The new striker's promising show is likely to be rewarded with another start, although he is short of full fitness and Preece is mindful of the powerhouse qualities Kelly brings to his side.

Kelly has been a regular fixture in Worcester's line-up. Prior to his Northolme ban, the ex-Ilkeston player began 21 consecutive first-team matches, excluding last November's Worcestershire Senior Cup win at Stourport Swifts.

In last season's corresponding fixture, Kelly netted against the Knitters, while Webster bagged a hat-trick in a 4-0 win, but Preece is keeping his selection cards close to his chest.

"We've got a few options for the Hinckley game and it's a nice problem to have," said Preece. "Leon is back from suspension, so we will look at it.

"I'm pretty sure Danksy will be fit tonight. I think he needs to work on his fitness because he has been playing one league lower than us, but we will see what today brings."

Preece reckons Webster and Danks formed a decent understanding in only their first match together, but believes it is too hasty to judge the partnership's long-term prospects.

He added: "The partnership is obviously in its early stages, but we need that competition for places. We've also got Leon, myself and Troy. We've got options and nobody can rest on their laurels.

"Mark is different to what we've got. Hopefully, that can add pressure to the players in the squad."

City travel to Leicestershire in healthy spirits after finally ending their away-day nightmare. Worcester will have been encouraged tp wrap up back-to-back wins against Hinckley after they lost 2-1 at home to rock-bottom Hednesford last Saturday.

Former City favourite Carl Heeley, now the Hinckley skipper, insists United must improve their home form.

Heeley said: "Our home form has been reasonably poor. Hinckley used to play at a terrible ground that nobody enjoyed coming to.

"But coming here, it's completely different with a great stadium and the pitch is lovely. Teams raise their game."