WORCESTER City's friendly clash at Atherstone United tomorrow (3pm) will bring back sweet memories for skipper Carl Heeley who scored a hat-trick against them last season.

The centre-back revelled in a midfield role to help City to a 3-2 victory over the Warwickshire side and a place in the quarter-finals of the Dr Martens Cup which Worcester went on to win.

Heeley has alternated bet-ween midfield and centre-back during City's opening two pre-season friendlies and with a series of crunching tackles has already made his mark.

Manager John Barton also returns to take his place in the dug-out after a holiday and will be looking to build on his side's promising start.

Midfielder Andy Ellis makes his first appearance and he is set to play some part in the match although he has missed the pre-season build up to date and is unlikely to start according to coach Mick Tuohy.

"Unless we are short I don't think he will start because he has not had any pre-season training and temperatures are likely to be a pretty warm at the weekend," he added.

New signing Allan Davies is unavailable after scoring goals against Oldbury United and Coventry City and keeper Paul Wyatt is also missing.

But first choice keeper, Danny McDonnell will play despite being withdrawn against the Sky Blues as a precaution after a slight pulled muscle.

Paul Carty, who twisted an ankle in the midweek match at St George's Lane is out but apart from that Barton will have a full squad of players to choose from.

Tuohy knows City are in for a hard game at Atherstone who were relegated from the Dr Martens Premier Division in 1999/2000 and finished ninth in the Dr Martens Western last year.

"The commitment in non-league football is far greater than it was and I'm sure this will be another tough challenge," he said.