WE'VE witnessed the triumphant return of Des Lyttle, the emotional loss of King Carl Heeley and the pre-season warm-ups.

Now, the serious business of league football is back for Worcester City along with the usual dose of high expectation.

Once again, the lust for promotion beckons at St George's Lane. Everyone associated with the club crave the Conference arena.

It is 20 years since City sat proudly in the 'big time', a period far too long for many supporters.

But with four days to go until Worcester kick-start their Nationwide North with a horrible looking opener at Kettering Town, optimism is higher than ever before.

Confidence is brimming and the magnitude of support backing Andy Preece in his first full season as player-manager is immense.

Not surprising too after taking his home-town club within an ace of the play-offs last season, despite replacing John Barton with City teetering closer and closer to the relegation threshold.

Can Preece and assistant Andy 'Jock' Morrison fulfil their hopes and dreams?

Bookmakers place City as one of the top five teams for the championship, just behind Northwich Victoria, Droylsden and Nuneaton Borough, and there are good reasons to believe Preece will spur his side to at least the play-offs.

For one, all of his big summer signings look like smashers.

Lyttle and Graham Hyde provide excellence and experience along the spine of the team.

And despite being the wrong side of 30, both former Premier League stars are as fit as fiddles.

Former Sheffield Wednesday midfielder Hyde comes in as a direct replacement for John Snape but offers much more.

For all of Snapper's gritty qualities in the engine room, he was never the most comfortable or gifted on the ball.

However, Hyde adds class, vision and a stylish passing game. It will be no surprise if the 34-year-old leads City's assist charts at the end of the season, while also throwing in his fair share of tackles.

Lyttle is the perfect antidote to the void of Heeley and retiring Paul Carty. The vivacious ex-Nottingham Forest man will give full value in the centre of Worcester's defence.

The pick of the new crop, for me, is Chris Smith. It is early days, but convincing performances at the right of Worcester's back three has given credence to Preece's belief that the newcomer from Stafford Rangers is one of the league's best defenders.

As one of the new breed of ball-playing centre-halves, Smith looks the part. Positionally sound, strong in the tackle and quick over short distances, he is the ideal foil for Lyttle with the equally athletic Shabir Khan flanking on the left.

With one of non-league football's top goalkeepers, Danny McDonnell, providing the last line of defence, City should expect to be one of the meanest sides around.

At the opposite end, there is enough distinction from Worcester's midfield and wing-backs to open up opposition defences, while Adam Webster and Leon Kelly are one of the league's most feared partnerships.

What Worcester need now is one big push -- a relentless season-long push for promotion.

A winning start on Saturday will do wonders for self-belief, but City have been dealt a rotten hand.

Kettering are also among the predicted front-runners and last season gave Worcester the runaround at Rockingham Road, despite the narrow 2-1 scoreline in the home side's favour.