NICK Colley is prepared to twist the knife on under-fire Gary Mills tomorrow -- despite having a close affinity with the Alfreton Town boss.

Worcester City's flying winger Colley rates Mills, a former European Cup winner with Nottingham Forest, as the best manager he has played under before current boss Andy Preece.

The two came together at Tamworth, where Colley was voted supporters' player of the year for the 2000/01 season, before Mills moved on to take a first-team coaching role at Coventry City.

Mills is now at the Impact Arena, where Alfreton are slumped in the Nationwide North relegation zone after failing to win any of their last seven games.

And Colley, recently recalled to the City starting line-up after a hamstring injury, is ready to pile on more pressure.

"I've got the utmost respect for Gary Mills," said Colley. "I would have run through brick walls for him at Tamworth.

"He was the best manager I've played for up until Andy Preece and Andy Morrison. They are on the same level.

"I think Gary is a good manager, there's no question about it. He's got the right attitude and Alfreton have some good players, but I feel for him at the moment because they are having a bad time.

"They are struggling and we must look to take advantage. It will be nice to see Gary again, plus some of the old Tamworth players, but nothing comes between winning games for Worcester.

"This may sound funny, but this is one of the most important games of the season because we must keep the momentum going.

"What happened on Monday night against Chippenham was fantastic and the players deserved it.

"We must now take that into the FA Trophy and Huddersfield game. But, most importantly, we need to take maximum points in between those matches.

"The league is what we are all about. After the poor start to the season, we have got to climb up that table."

After spending two months sidelined, Colley is enjoying his return to City's midfield and the responsibility of creating chances for strikers Adam Webster and Leon Kelly.

While on the treatment table, the 31-year-old could only look on in frustration as young trio Sam Wedgbury, Danny Hodnett and Tom Warmer took centre stage.

But Colley, who starred in Worcester's FA Cup triumph over Chippenham, is determined not to lose his place again.

He added: "I must pay credit to the young lads that were in the side before me. They will get their chance again because there is a great battle for places.

"But there's no question that since I got my shirt back, I intend to keep it. I'm always determined to play every game. At the moment, the sun is shining over Worcester City and everybody wants to be a part of what is happening here."

Aside from injuries to Jai Stanley (knee), Shabir Khan (groin) and James Smith (neck), boss Preece has a strong squad to select from as City strive for their third successive league victory. He is unlikely to tinker too much with the FA Cup-winning side.

Striker Mick Godber misses out for Alfreton as he serves the last of a three-game ban.