WORCESTER City manager Richard Dryden will not let the current power struggle get in the way of his team’s challenge for the play-offs.

City make the long trip to Essex side Thurrock tomorrow (3pm) still well-placed to put pressure on the top five, having ended a three-game losing run with a 2-1 victory at Hampton and Richmond.

New chairman Anthony Hampson was revealed as Dave Boddy’s replacement on the eve of that match and, in the days since, a rival stadium bid to Nunnery Way has been unveiled.

Dryden, currently negotiating a new contract, was due to meet Hampson before training last night but remains committed to on-pitch success.

He said: “My priority as soon as I came to the club was not what happens off the pitch but what happens on it.”

Following the return of centre-half Ollie Barnes and midfielder Dave Bampton from suspension, the City boss is expecting to have a fully-fit squad to choose from.

Strikers Matt Dinsmore and Craig Wilding, the captain, are still nursing groin problems but are both in contention to feature at Ship Lane.

Dryden has plenty of options and must decide whether to keep faith with defender Jemiah Richards and Gary Walker in midfield. Former West Brom player Rob Davies also did his chances of a recall no harm by coming off the bench to score the winner last weekend.

“Everybody should be fit for selection which is good for me,” Dryden said.

“It’s good to have a few options and it’s going to be a big decision what to do.

“Everybody who has got on the pitch in the last few weeks has proved they are an asset to the club.”

Thurrock are 15th in Blue Square South but have scored nine goals without reply in their last two games, beating Fisher 3-0 and Basingstoke 6-0.

Dryden said: “We have a squad that is capable of beating anybody on the day but we have also proved we can lose to anybody which is unfortunate.

“It’s important we get organised. I know how Thurrock play and if we can set up to stop them attacking and find a few weaknesses in their defensive strategy, hopefully we can get closer to the top five.

“They absolutely battered Basingstoke in the second-half in their last game. They have beaten some good sides and run some close. They are in a rich vein of form.”

City, though, have only lost once on their travels and Dryden is pleased with the squad spirit.

He added: “I think the lads are enjoying the trips away and it’s even better on the way home when you have got something from a game.

“Carl Heeley said there’s nothing better than being on the coach after a good away win.”

Thurrock defender Rob Swaine misses the clash with a one-match ban for five bookings.