IT could be a case of something old, something new for Worcester City as they embark on a busy run of fixtures over the festive period.

A trip to Haughmond tomorrow (3pm) is followed by back-to-back games with rivals and landlords Bromsgrove Sporting on Boxing Day (3pm) and New Year’s Day — matches that will see City’s bosses looking to utilise their squad.

“We have a busy programme over the next few days and expect to use a number of different players,” joint-manager John Snape said.

“But it’s important we concentrate on each game in turn and that means we need to prepare for Haughmond.

"They are a good footballing side and it will mean we will get to play on a nice pitch up at their place.”

A number of the City side had been carrying knocks after their last match at the end of November and Snape revealed they had been put through their paces during a friendly at Pershore Town in midweek.

“We were grateful to Pershore for setting up the game,” he said.

“We had gone 24 days without a match so it was important for the lads to open their legs and to have a look at some of those who had been injured.

“Matt Birley got some time in, Mark Smith had 45 minutes and Nathan Vaughan played the entire 90 minutes.”

City won the match 3-1 and Snape was impressed by youngster Callum Harper who made his debut for the Blue and Whites.

Snape said: “He is a young lad who plays on the right side of midfield.

"He’s a youngster who has come through the academy and showed enough in training to be given the chance.

“He’s a lad we have high hopes for and is one I’m sure will figure over the course of the next few games.”

And while Snape is delighted to have one of the academy youngsters to call on he’s also delighted veteran keeper Vaughan looked sharp during the game with Pershore.

“It means we have competition now with Matt Gwynne," the City boss said. “What Nathan brings is experience, knowhow and character to the role.

“It is the same in defence where we now have a number of players vying for a place in the starting line-up and that has to be healthy, particularly with so many games in such a short space of time.”

Worcester were last in Total Motion Midland League Premier Division action on November 25 when two goals from Lee Hughes helped City to a 4-1 victory over county neighbours Stourport Swifts.

In contrast, Shrewsbury-based Haughmond have played twice this month but will go into tomorrow’s contest on a torrid run of form having picked up just two points from their last 10 games.