INJURY casualties Andy Preece and Shabir Khan are expected to make the reckoning for Worcester City's Nationwide North clash against rock-bottom Bradford Park Avenue on Saturday.

Player-manager Preece damaged his ribs in City's 2-1 home defeat to Gainsborough Trinity earlier this month, forcing him to dictate with success from the dug-out in the club's last three matches.

Khan, 19, with only eight competitive starts to his name all season, has not yet figured since Preece's arrival at St George's Lane after suffering a recurrence of a groin injury in late-January.

But the talented defender trained last week and Preece believes the teenager could prove to be a terrific asset to his squad.

"Shabir seems okay at this moment in time," said Preece. "He's had no effect from his injury in training. We'll see how he goes and hopefully he should be in contention for the weekend.

"From what I've seen, Shabir could be a very good player. He's got a good build, very athletic and has a lot of ability. He's still a bit raw but I think he's got something there to work on.

"He also has a lot of pace and that's a key ingredient for any player. Shabir has got plenty of it and that's an important strength to have."

X-rays revealed that 37-year-old Preece had not cracked his ribs although the former Carlisle United striker said the knock to the side of his body had given him considerable pain over the last few weeks.

Preece, whose side have won their last two games and kept three clean sheets in a row, said: "I went for an x-ray because I was not happy with it. But there's nothing cracked or broken.

"But I've gone back home, turned my body and it's like somebody has kneed me in my ribs. I went back to square one.

"It was painful, just on my side under my armpit. It got to the point when I felt it would never go away. All I need is rest and come the Bradford game, I should be there again."

City will check on the duo's fitness at training tomorrow night.

Worcester City's youth team face Lye Town at St George's Lane tonight in the semi-finals of the Worcestershire FA Youth Cup (7.30pm).