CARL Heeley has called on Worcester City fans to travel in their hoards to the New Year’s Day rematch with Gloucester City (3pm).

Having beaten their M5 rivals 2-1 in front of a crowd of 1,501 on Boxing Day, the largest St George’s Lane league gate for three years, the Worcester boss wants to replicate that support at Whaddon Road.

Gloucester are attracting attendances of around 350 for games at the home of Cheltenham Town, where the Tigers are tenants, and Heeley reckons that figure can be doubled with a strong City contingent.

Support at away games has been consistent this season and a coach-load made the lengthy trip to North Wales for the 2-1 victory at Colwyn Bay, Worcester’s last fixture on the road.

“Our travelling support at Colwyn Bay was fantastic and we had a great crowd on Boxing Day,” Heeley said.

“Cheltenham is not far, and possibly as close for some as St George’s Lane, so it would be nice to see a good few hundred down there to cheer us on.

“The fact we beat them means they will be looking to turn the tables on us. But I think their surface will suit us and we know exactly what they’re going to do. I think we can go there and win the game, we’re confident so why not?

“We think we can get three points and that’s the aim.”

The Lane men are bidding to make it seven games unbeaten in Blue Square Bet North and victory would be their sixth away from HQ this season.

City will be looking to go one better on this visit to Whaddon Road after a 1-1 draw against the Tigers last January in which Gary Walker scored a sublime 30-yard chip.

Dave Mehew’s Gloucester, meanwhile, slipped to 15th in the table following Monday’s defeat and have not recorded a win in any competition since a 2-1 success against Altrincham on November 19, six games ago.

Having seen everyone come through the first derby encounter unscathed, Heeley has plenty of options at his disposal.

Attacking midfielder Lee Smith will be keen to get his chance against the club he made more than 300 appearances for after being an unused substitute on Boxing Day.

Rob Elvins (shoulder) remains the only casualty and is unlikely to play despite making progress and having been hopeful of featuring over Christmas, while right-back Martyn Naylor serves the last of his three-game ban.

Heeley added: “Rob feels the shoulder has improved dramatically but, being a defensive player who has to hold off attackers, he doesn’t feel the strength’s there at the moment.

“We’re certainly not going to rush him, we don’t need to, we’ve got enough players.”