WORCESTER City manager Andy Preece insists his players will be ready for a revitalised Tamworth in tomorrow's FA Cup encounter (3pm).

City recorded a 2-0 Blue Square North victory at The Lamb three weeks ago and are looking to repeat that success in the second qualifying round.

But Tamworth boss Gary Mills has taken an axe to his squad since that match and saw his new-look team beat Workington 2-0 last Saturday.

Chief among the new recruits is 6ft 4ins former Stafford defender Craig McAughtrie, who Preece admitted had been courted by City.

The Worcester manager said: "It just shows Tamworth are a powerful team in our league. They spent money in the summer and they have gone and spent again.

"Seven different players played last Saturday to who played against us. Gary Mills wasn't happy with that performance and after that he went out and got players in and paid good money for them.

"One was a player we would have been interested in but the wages were well out of our reach.

"They will be smarting from the defeat against us so we can expect a lot harder game than we had up there before. But we know what to expect and we will be ready for it."

City came within a fraction of reaching the first round proper last year, winning replays at both Romulus and Hemel Hempstead before an agonising penalty shoot-out defeat against Basingstoke. But Preece was pleased with the run and would be happy to reach the same stage again.

He said: "I thought it was a really good cup run last year which ended on penalties against a team at the same level.

"We got to the fourth qualifying round which I think is probably what most teams would see as OK and as a decent run. I don't think it was disappointing."

City are also hoping a boiler problem at St George's Lane is rectified should a replay be needed on Monday night.

The showers and heating have been out of action in the changing rooms this week and forced the team to use the facilities at Cannons health club following training last night.

Preparations have been further hindered after scout Geoff Ashby's car broke down on the way to watch the Tamworth v Workington game last week, leaving Preece waiting on reports from elsewhere.