MATT Dinsmore could earn his first start for Worcester City in Blue Square North against Workington tomorrow.
Manager Richard Dryden has limited options up-front and is without striker Craig Wilding through a one-match suspension and Mark Danks (knee injury).
Adam Webster may be switched from the right of midfield to lead the line but with Troy Wood still sidelined with an ankle problem it increases Dinsmore's chances of playing.
The 17-year-old academy player has shown glimpses of his potential by scoring twice against Redditch in a friendly and netting in City's Worcestershire Senior Cup success against Evesham.
Dryden has been impressed by Dinsmore and would not hesitate to throw the youngster in at the deep end.
He said: "Adam can play up-front but we are a bit short at the moment.
"Matt has been doing well with Ray Woods and Mark Owen in the youth team and, in the two games I have seen him in against Redditch and Evesham, he's done really well.
"He's a good, young player. He's 17 and there's plenty of people playing week in, week out at 17 so there's no reason why he can't progress to the first team."
Captain Chris Smith will not be fit as he continues on the road to recovery from an ankle injury, meaning Dryden looks likely to name the same four in defence.
That would pair Jonathan Munday and Ryan Clarke in the centre with Graham Ward on the right and Jonny Harkness making his full debut on the left following last Saturday's abandonment against Nuneaton.
Dryden added: "Chris started light jogging last week. We are waiting to get him as fit as we can but if he's not ready it's pointless risking him.
"Ryan has been playing there since I have been here and has done really well. Jonathan has come in and proved he is a good player and can easily cope in this league. He's a good signing for a month.
"Last Saturday was a good work-out for Jonny before the game was abandoned."
City will be looking to follow up their last-gasp 2-1 home victory over Hinckley with success against a Workington side they took four points off last season, winning 1-0 at Borough Park before being held 2-2 at the Lane last January.
Darren Edmondson's side, who are 13th in the table, are aiming to bounce back from their 2-1 FA Trophy replay defeat at the hands of Braintee Town on Tuesday.
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