A STRICT dietary regime means the only chance of a Christmas stuffing for City's finest will come at Moor Green on Boxing Day.

Hopefully it will be John Barton's side doing the carving up but beating Moor Green on their home patch has been a job easier said than done for City in recent years.

The Moorlands has not been the most productive of hunting grounds since Bob Faulkner's side returned to the Premier Division three years ago with City netting one point from nine.

Rivalry is keenly felt between the two clubs, resulting in the fixture ranking as one of the highlights of the season.

The sense of anticipation ahead of Boxing Day's clash has been heightened by City's unscheduled 18-day break without a game.

Worcester's enforced rest has given a few aching and battered bodies a chance for recuperation though Danny McDonnell, outstanding in this corresponding fixture last year, will be out as he at last serves his one match ban.

For record signing Jai Stanley, Friday's clash brings mixed feelings following his knee surgery but even if he is unable to contribute on the pitch he at least has the inside line on his former team-mates and the ex-Moors ace is predicting a rigorous test for City, made harder by the recent capture of Neil Davis from Newport.

Davis of course needs little introduction to Worcester fans following his excellent contribution in the Exiles 5-1 drubbing inflicted at St George's Lane back in November while Stanley is a great admirer of the former Aston Villa frontman.

"He's a good centre forward, is a good goalscorer and makes intelligent runs," said Stanley.

"They've also got Jae Martin who has not been playing of late but came on as sub against Eastbourne and scored a winner so probably he thinks he's got a point to prove. But Moor Green have got good players all the way through and it's going to be an interesting game but I think Worcester can get a result and I'm just sad I'm not playing."

"It will be a very difficult game," he added. "They are doing well after a difficult start to the season and will work really hard to make sure Worcester don't beat them," he said.

"At Moor Green we always knew Worcester was a big club and you want to try and prove yourself against teams like that," added Stanley.