OUTRAGED Worcester City boss Andy Preece is fuming over the "horrific tackle" that has thrown his Nationwide North plans into further jeopardy.

Last season's top-scorer Adam Webster was whisked off to hospital for an ankle X-ray after a challenge from Kidderminster Harriers defender Mark Creighton.

And Saturday's final pre-season friendly was eventually abandoned after 71 minutes in bizarre circumstances when Harriers boss Mark Yates took his players off the St George's Lane pitch.

The Nationwide Conference visitors were winning 2-0 when Yates reacted following an off-the-field incident in the changing rooms after Creighton had left the pitch himself through injury.

Both clubs were investigating the incident today as Preece surveys the wreckage of a forward line that is already missing Mark Danks, who broke a fifth metatarsal.

However, he was especially concerned for Webster, who has suspected ligament damage but no break, and insisted Creighton caught the former Notts County forward after winning the ball.

Preece said: "It's the most horrific challenge I've seen and it was in the first minute of a friendly. You can put up with injuries from 50-50 tackles but there's no place for that on a football field.

"I don't know what we can do about it or whether it's career-threatening or not. If anyone has got a picture of the challenge I would appreciate seeing it. If we can get it to Adam then maybe he can take it through the legal process."

The City boss is preparing for the worst over Webster's diagnosis and admitted he may have to dip into the transfer market with himself and young hot-shot Troy Wood the only replacements.

He said: "There's no way Webster will be fit this side of Christmas. Fortunately, Craig Wilding has shown immense improvement from the first friendly to the last one and is going to be a key figure for us.

"It would be a lot to ask of Troy to step in and I'm not ready to play every game. We might have to bring someone in but it's going to cost this football club money and someone has to pay for it."

The pre-season friendlies have not been kind to City and centre-half Des Lyttle will serve a three-game ban for his headbutt in the first game against Cheltenham Town.

Preece was happy with the City performance against Harriers, whose big goalkeeper Scott Bevan played a starring role, but is demanding better defending from set-pieces.

He added: "We started poorly and looked shell-shocked when Webster went off. But we began to do well and their 'keeper made three or four really good saves.

"Overall, I've got to be pleased with the performance. If we can cut out the goals we are conceding from set-pieces then we are going to be a decent side."

Young right wing-back Jay Sztybel, who was released by Walsall, has signed for an initial month after his trial.

MATCH report: page 29