CHRIS Smith is set to give Worcester City a boost by returning to the side for Saturday's Blue Square North visit of Hucknall Town.

The skipper hobbled off four minutes into the second-half of last Saturday's 2-2 draw with Blyth Spartans and feared another spell on the sidelines with an ankle problem.

But he was due to train last night and manager Richard Dryden is hoping he will be OK to line-up alongside Jon Munday in the centre of defence.

He said: "Chris Smith is a big addition to the squad which I thought I wouldn't have. He looked in trouble on Saturday when he limped off. We gave him a little bit of a chance after half-time but it wasn't enough so he came off straight away. It was better to get him off early rather than make it worse."

City will be keen to set the record straight against Huc-knall after losing 5-0 in Nottinghamshire last October, a result which ultimately cost Andy Preece his job.

David Lloyd's side have lost their last seven league matches - their last win was on Boxing Day - but they hammered Nottingham Senior League side Wollaton 8-1 in the Nottinghamshire FA Senior Cup on Tuesday.

"Anybody can beat anybody in this league," Dryden said. "Hucknall haven't been getting spanked, they have been getting beaten by the odd goal. They only lost 1-0 at Harrogate, who are no mugs."

Smith's inclusion means Dryden could have the luxury of naming the same squad of 16 players for a second successive week.

Although Jonny Harkness is available again after as serving a one-match suspension and will be in contention to depose stand-in left-back Rapinder Gill.

Striker Adam Webster (ankle) is still a doubt but will once again take a place on the bench, if only to provide cover in other areas.

Dryden said: "Adam Webster is more than happy to go on the bench as a goalkeeper in case anything happens to Cameron and with the penalty situation on Saturday he was ready to put his gloves on."

David Burtoft did his chances no harm with a debut goal against Blyth, while Graham Ward started on the right of midfield against Blyth. Nick Colley is also back from the England Futsal squad.

Hucknall have a clean bill of health but will be without Alistair Asher who is serving a one-match ban.