MANAGER Richard Dryden is facing up to a major injury crisis as Worcester City prepare to take on Blue Square North strugglers Hinckley United.

Defenders Kevin Spencer and Rapinder Gill are out of tomorrow's St George's Lane clash with knee and ankle ligament damage respectively, while five other players did not train last night.

Chris Smith heads the list with the ankle injury that forced him to miss the New Year's Day defeat at Redditch United and the skipper is a major doubt for tomorrow.

Mark Danks rested a knee injury after playing through the pain barrier against Redditch and strike partner Craig Wilding is still nursing a long-term groin problem.

Defender Ryan Clarke has a back complaint and youth-teamer Matt Dinsmore, ear-marked for a first-team call-up, is struggling with his hip.

City are already without keeper Danny McDonnell and Shabir Khan faces a long spell out with a fractured elbow.

Boss Dryden has secured 19-year-old centre-half Jon Munday on loan from Kidderminster Harriers for a month but is down to the bare bones of his squad.

He said: "Smith is a massive doubt. He's a huge miss and it has been proved in the last two games.

"With the goals we have conceded in the last two games you can see what happens when we haven't got our settled back four.

"The two 1-0 wins (in December) were in total contrast to the last two games. That is what happens when you have got injuries.

"It proves we have got a good group of 13 players but after that we have only got a few younger lads."

One positive point for Dryden is the return of midfielder George Clegg to the side after serving his one-match ban.

The City manager is determined the 11 players who start will try to secure the double over Hinckley.

City won 4-2 at the Marston Stadium in August and have taken four points off Dean Thomas' side in each of the last three seasons.

Hinckley are at the wrong end of the table but won 2-0 at Solihull Moors last Saturday and drew 0-0 with rivals Nuneaton on New Year's Day.

Dryden added: "I was told we never beat Solihull or Harrogate so I am not interested in facts and figures.

"Hinckley are decent. They have got a lot of good players and third-from-bottom is not a true reflection of their squad.

"It's going to be a hard game but we will put out the best side we can and have a good go."