MARK Danks and Graham Ward will be left out of the Worcester City team to face Boston United in a bid to get them fully fit.

The pair have been struggling with back problems in recent weeks although they have played through the pain barrier.

Midfielder Ward has managed to complete 90 minutes of late but Danks has only been used as a substitute.

Both will miss Saturday's Blue Square North trip to Lincolnshire but Worcester manager Andy Preece is hopeful they will be ready for the visit of Southport on October 20.

With City out of the FA Cup and not having a game on Saturday week, Preece sees it as an ideal time to sort out the situation.

Hucknall Town had asked to move the match forward, from Tuesday, October 23, to fill the gap left vacant on October 13 but City have declined because of their injury problems.

Preece said: "Danks and Ward won't be involved at Boston. We need to rest them and hopefully this will give us that chance."

However, Preece is confident defender Peter Doran, who hobbled off at Tamworth, will be fit for the weekend.

Meanwhile, striker Craig Wilding was due to go under the knife this week but that has been postponed because the last season's leading gol-scorer came through the FA Cup clash unscathed.

Preece added: "Craig had no reaction from his groin so that's very positive."