HE'S a Nationwide Conference title winner and boasts an FA Challenge Trophy medal to his name -- so it's inevitable that Worcester City defender Les Hines thrives on success.

But given Worcester's plight, which has seen them plummet into mid-table in Nationwide North, you would perhaps think Hines had given up the thought of achievement at St George's Lane this season.

Not a chance! The ex-Kidderminster Harriers defender, who signed in pre-season from Hednesford Town, is confident as ever despite a run of five games without a victory, even predicting a charge at promotion after Christmas.

Hines, 27, said: "I spoke to the gaffer the other week and I was honest with him.

"I told him this was the best squad of players I've played with, better than the team at Kidderminster that won the Vauxhall Conference, or perhaps just as good as!

"There are some fantastic players here and you only have to look at the start of the season when confidence was high.

"We were unbeaten for a long time, played attacking football, and didn't change the team.

"Then we started picking up injury after injury. I'd never seen anything like it, it was just one after another. And there were those that were not totally fit like Jai (Stanley), Leon (Kelly) and Webby (Adam Webster). I think the four defeats really dented confidence.

"I really hoped we would win the league this season and there's no reason why we can't get promoted.

"If we are there or thereabouts around Christmas, say 10th and above, and we get most of our injured players back, then there's always a chance that we can make a late push."

Former Aston Villa professional Hines has appeared in every fixture this term as left-back until he was forced to fulfil wing-back duties against Alfreton Town last Friday as John Barton reverted to an unusual 3-5-2 formation.

The change in system suited the naturally attack-minded defender to a tee, although he's not too fussed what position he is asked to perform.

Hines added: "I really don't mind where the gaffer puts me. I started my life as a left-back at Villa but I've played for a time at wing-back, I enjoy both roles.

"To be brutally honest, I think the manager's hand was forced through injuries to be more defensively minded.

"It had come to the stage where we needed to stop the slide and we did that against Alfreton

"The defence was a little more solid with the three in the middle. I was very impressed with Shabir Khan. I hadn't seen him play before but I thought he was very relaxed on the ball, especially for a lad of his age. He's quiet on the pitch, but I'm sure he'll do a bit more talking as he comes on."

n City have no match today because of their FA Cup exit, but face three games in eight days from next Saturday starting with trips to Southport and Vauxhall Motors (Tuesday 26). Altrincham are at the Lane the following Saturday.