FOR two years, Marc McGregor established himself as one of the most respected players at Worcester City.

Signed by Richard Dryden in October 2010, the 34-year-old became a favourite at St George’s Lane, despite only bagging 15 goals during his stint at the club.

As well as bringing experience to the squad, he was also something of the joker in the pack and was always at the centre of dressing room banter.

Ironically, it was his candid nature that played a part in his departure 11 months ago, when he was publicly critical of the team following their FA Cup defeat at Godalming.

Although both he and City dismissed it as a contributing factor at the time, the comments can’t have helped behind the scenes.

Now, however, McGregor and City have been reunited by the FA Cup with the striker attempting to plot the downfall of his former employers this weekend.

McGregor is assistant manager at Weston-super-Mare, the club he was with before joining Worcester and also City’s opponents in Saturday’s third qualifying round.

While he admits it would be nice to get one over his ex-colleagues, he feels City will be the favourites at the Woodspring Stadium, despite both clubs playing at the same level.

McGregor said: “Now that I am assistant manager, my first job is to hopefully get through to the next round.

“We know we are a smaller club than Worcester but we will play our passing game and hopefully we can compete.

“We are fishing in different ponds when it comes to budgets, ours is lower and we have had to get players from lower leagues.

“But it will be good for them to play against players who have been in the Football League because it shows if they are ready to make that step up.

“Worcester have good footballers who give 100 per cent and we have got to match that. I am glad we are at home but maybe Worcester are just favourites.”

He might not have left the Lane in ideal circumstances but McGregor appears to have nothing but admiration for the club.

“I enjoyed my time at Worcester, Carl Heeley was great and so were the fans, and I am looking forward to seeing everyone,” he said.

“It’s a great club and lads who have left realise they shouldn’t have done. I didn’t want to go but circumstances forced me.

“Worcester have had a really fine start and since Carl took over he’s done a good job.”