LES Hines' chances of turning out against former club Hednesford Town in tomorrow's FA Trophy third round clash (3pm) hang in the balance.

Hines faces a late fitness test on a calf injury before the match at Keys Park and only rates himself 50-50 to feature against the defending champions.

The 28-year-old left-back, who scored in the Pitmen's 3-2 final victory over Canvey Island last season, pulled up during last Saturday's 2-2 home draw with Ashton United and has been trying to shake off the injury since.

He had a fitness test last night at St George's Lane, but there are still doubts ahead of the Staffordshire trip and Hines could face up to six weeks on the sidelines if he aggravates it.

"At the moment it's 50-50," he said. "I have got to have another fitness test before the game.

"It felt alright but the physio said it was doubtful.

"I felt it a little bit when I was running last night. He thought that extra 36 hours could make the difference.

"He said 'as much as you want to play, you have got to be realistic'.

"There's plenty of good players who can step into my shoes and you have got to get your priorities right. The fact it's Hednesford makes you want to push a little bit more to get back."

Hines left for St George's Lane in the summer when Hednesford Town were relegated to the Southern League Premier Division, despite winning the trophy.

As soon as he heard the draw, City's dead-ball specialist has been eager to line-up against his former team mates, making last week's injury even harder to take.

"I just felt a pull in my calf and went down and the first thing I thought about was the Hednesford game," Hines said.

Even if Hines is unable to play, he is more than aware of the game's importance to City's long term Nationwide North prospects.

He added: "We are a league above so straight away we are favourites but they are defending the FA Trophy so it's going to be a difficult game.

"It will be interesting. I still keep in touch with a lot of the lads but it's a game we need to win to get our season up and running again."