WORCESTER City take a trip into the unknown this weekend when they continue their pre-season preparations in Belgium.

City face a tough task against top-flight outfit KSK Beveren tomorrow (4pm) but they are determined to do themselves justice.

Trialist defender Kevin Halliday, formerly with Swindon Town, is set for his second City appearance after impressing in the 4-2 victory at Tividale in midweek.

Coach Mick Tuohy, who will be in charge again with manager John Barton still on holiday, said: "From the players' point of view they want to go and give themselves a good shot at playing a team from a very high standard.

"They don't want to be in the position of going over there and getting turned over, but obviously it is very early in our pre-season programme and it will be a tough test for us. Everybody is looking forward to it - it is a major event for the club."

City will be taking a full squad across the English Channel, with striker Adam Webster out to add to the two goals he scored at Tividale.

The only absentees are goalkeeper Danny McDonnell and midfielder Darren Middleton, who are both on holiday, and young midfield man Mitch Counsell who is unavailable. Work commitments also prevent new signing Leon Kelly from making the trip.

The trip was arranged and funded by City's former shirt sponsors Petrochem Carless. The touring party was due to leave today and will return on Sunday.

Tuohy said: "It is going to be a long haul travelling by coach. It is a heavy weekend and remember these guys are only part-time, but it will hopefully be something of a team-bonding exercise which will be a positive side of it, after which we can get back to some sort of normality."

Beveren, situated near Antwerp, have two national titles and two cup wins to their credit, and their Freethiel Stadium holds 13,000 fans. They finished 11th in the Belgian First Division last season.

Tuohy admitted: "All I know about them is that they have five or six Ivory Coast internationals, which means they will be very quick. But we are relishing the opportunity of playing there."

City play their first home friendly against First Division Coventry City next Wednesday (7.45).