WORCESTER City manager Carl Heeley says there are plenty of places up for grabs in the starting XI for the Skrill North opener against Altrincham.

There is just over a week to go until the new campaign kicks off at Aggborough and City play their final warm-up match at Northern League side Rushall Olympic tomorrow (3pm).

But Heeley says players can still stake a claim for a shirt next weekend and is challenging them to give him a selection headache.

“There are places up for grabs. I have an open mind and it will be the players I feel deserve to be in the starting 11 against Altrincham,” he said.

“I’ve got no pre-conceived ideas and we’ll just see how it goes in the next 10 days or so.

“If players are doing well, they’ll stay in the side. If others are doing better, they’ll get the shirts and that’s the fair policy we’ll operate with as we always have done.”

City look for a fourth consecutive warm-up victory having beaten Evesham United 1-0, Paulton Rovers 2-1 and Loughborough University 3-1.

Of Rushall, Heeley said: “They thumped Hednesford (4-1) and gave Kidderminster a hell of a game so they are a big, strong side and very direct.

“It’s not the greatest surface there but we’ve got to go and stand up to it. It’s going to be a tough test.

“Results don’t mean anything, it’s about trying different things and working out what your strongest 11 is and the best formation.

“Pre-season has been satisfactory but we’re also aware it doesn’t really mean anything. It’s just preparation for when we get going for real.”

Midfielder Ashley Sammons could be fit having struggled with a thigh injury for most of pre-season, while winger Luke Hubbins, a devout Muslim, is still getting up to speed having seen his training restricted by Ramadan.

Left-back Ellis Deeney is set for more minutes after playing more than half of the Evesham friendly on his return from an ankle injury sustained last season.