ANDY Preece is set to shake up Worcester City's side for tonight's derby showdown at Redditch United (7.45).

In City's previous four games, including Saturday's 1-1 FA Cup first round draw at Chippenham, loyal boss Preece has stuck to the same successful line-up.

That side possessed a youthful complexion, especially in midfield where Tom Warmer, Sam Wedgbury and Danny Hodnett held the fort.

But a punishing schedule of three matches in seven days lies ahead for Worcester and Preece is keen to freshen his team now that several players have returned fit from injury.

Graham Hyde is expected to win back his role in the centre of the park, while Nick Colley is keen to reclaim his spot.

Both added vigour to City's weary legs when they arrived as second-half substitutes at Hardenhuish Park.

Preece admits the immediate focus is to improve City's lowly Nationwide North position and ignore next Monday's cup replay, which rewards the winners with a home tie against Huddersfield.

"We are not looking any further than Redditch tonight and Hednesford on Saturday," insists Preece.

"While we are down there near the bottom of the table, we can't look at it any other way. We must try to forget about the FA Cup.

"Unfortunately, in recent weeks, we've not been in a position to change things in the side. It's been the same players week in, week out. We are almost out of that situation and we will have to look at how we can change things around, now we've got three games tonight, Saturday and Monday.

"We will try to freshen things up during these three games.

"I don't think we are in a position to keep our strongest team back for the FA Cup. We need points in the league, so we must play our strongest possible side in every game.

"At the end of the season, we are not going to be judged on our cup run. It will come down to our league position and that's something we must improve."

Worcester slipped back into the relegation zone on Saturday when Hyde United landed a 3-0 win at Gainsborough.

Preece scoffed at suggestions that Redditch represent lame ducks, following their recent 6-3 and 4-1 home defeats to Workington and Stalybridge Celtic.

He added: "It can be a bit deceiving when you see Redditch conceding 10 goals in their last two league games. They created plenty of chances and I don't think the scorelines in both cases were a true reflection."

Meanwhile, City's FA Cup first round replay against Chippenham will not be all-ticket for Worcester supporters. Tickets will, however, be sold in advance for both the stand and ground to ease congestion.