ANDY Ellis and Danny McDonnell will be hoping to erase some bad memories when they return to Tamoworth tomorrow (3pm).

It was at the Lamb ground that midfielder Ellis broke his leg two seasons ago while last year goalkeeper McDonnell managed to be red-carded and stretchered off at the same time.

Both will be hoping Worcester City can re-ignite their Dr Martens Premier Division campaign but Brian Clough protege Gary Mills, Tamworth's manager and winner of a European Cup medal, stands in their way.

City's assistant manager Mick Tuohy has described tomorrow's match and Monday's visit of Merthyr Tydfil as critical for the club's fortunes for the remainder of the season.

He said: "We know that the league is so wide open this season that anything can happen so tomorrow and Monday are critical to the rest of the season.

"But to be fair it has been like that from day one and we've had to keep battling on to get something out of every game.

"Everybody has enjoyed the little cup run and would have liked to take it further. The feeling in the camp is that we probably did as well and better than we expected with limited resources. But we're also just a little deflated because of the way we lost the goal.

"The training session on Monday was the most critical in my time here but the attitude was fantastic.

"I'm optimistic that we can start putting together a run in the league and hopefully get into the top half of the league and to start challenging in the second half of the season because there is still a long way to go."

Manager John Barton said of third-placed Tamworth: "They are having an excellent season and since their change of manager their record has been second to none."

City welcome back Jon Holloway from suspension but have injury doubts over Darren Bullock (knee), who received treatment last night and Marc Burrow (calf) and Dwaine McFarlane (thigh) who did not train on Monday but Tuohy expects them all to be available for selection.

Phil Stant (Achilles) is also fit and could team up with Mark Shepherd up front, who, according to Tuohy, has plenty more to offer.

"The best of Shep is yet to come and myself and John Newman have been working very hard with him in training. After every training session he and Darren Middleton stay behind for extra work and their attitudes have been exemplary."

Middleton is doubtful and may have a precautionary scan on his knee.

"I've been having physio and heat treatment but there is a little bit of swelling so I might have a scan but I could be available for Monday and certainly next week," he said.

Worcester (from): McDonnell, Wyatt, Davies, Weir, Heeley, Jukes, Hyde, Goodman, Carty, Stant, Shepherd, McFarlane, Burrow, Ellis, Holloway.

Formcast: In-form Tamworth to win 2-0.