WORCESTER City’s rotten run of luck with injuries is showing no sign of abating with the news Tim Sandercombe could require knee surgery.

The goalkeeper has been out of action since suffering the problem in training at the end of November.

Swelling has prevented him from having a scan and City now fear he is facing a prolonged spell on the sidelines.

It is the latest blow for the St George’s Lane club with left-back Shabir Khan already out for the rest of the campaign following knee reconstruction surgery.

Right-back Graham Ward has also been in the wars again after damaging his nose for the second time this season in training.

But it is Sandercombe’s injury that is currently giving the most cause for concern.

Manager Carl Heeley said: “Mike Sorensen (club medical officer) had a look at him at training and we are going to get him a scan before Christmas.

“But Mike’s initial thoughts were that he will require surgery so that’s another blow for us.”

The 21-year-old has been a major player for City this season and was named player-of-the-month for November.

Marc Wright has deputised ably for the wins over Northwich and Vauxhall Motors but Heeley may seek long-term cover if Sandercombe cannot return in the near future.

City, who also have keeper Richard Mace on their books, are facing a hectic schedule with four matches in eight days over Christmas and New Year.

There is no let-up in January either with a further six matches in the diary from Saturday 10 to Monday 31. The trip to Stalybridge Celtic also has to be slotted into the calendar after Saturday’s Blue Square Bet North clash fell foul of the weather.

Defender Tom Evans is still waiting to complete his three-match ban following the Bower Fold postponement, while Ward would not have played.

The club captain, who has only just returned from six weeks out with a broken nose, fears he may have broken it again during a challenge in training.

It has left the Irishman cursing his luck during a campaign which has also seen him serve a three-match suspension for a red card.

Ward, who has handed the skipper’s armband to Ryan Clarke in recent games, said: “I got a whack on it last Saturday and early on during Monday’s game.

“Then we were training and I caught the back of Mark Danks’ head. I heard a crack and it started bleeding again. I am having a nightmare.”

City’s home league match against Hyde, which clashes with the FA Trophy second-round trip to Eastleigh, has been rearranged for Monday, February 14.