Preece quells keeper worry

Reserve 'keeper James Coates is expected to be out for around six weeks after breaking a bone in his finger.

And first-choice Danny McDonnell missed Saturday's 2-1 victory at Evesham United after he needed an injection for a shoulder problem.

But Preece, who was forced to borrow Evesham stopper Darren Knurek for Saturday's game, is hopeful McDonnell will be available for tonight's trip to Gloucester City (7.45) and has no immediate plans to bring in extra cover.

"Danny has had a shoulder problem over the last few years," he said. "It comes and goes and just needs an injection. That clears things up and it's not a big problem.

"James Coates has had two screws in his little finger so he's probably going to be out for six weeks.

"That's a bit of a blow for us and I think, if anything happens to Danny, we'll have to go and find someone on loan."

Another unfamiliar face in the game at Common Road was youngster Jay Sztybel, a trialist from Walsall, who impressed Preece with his performance on the right flank and weighed in with a goal.

He will get another chance tonight to prove he can provide the solution to City's problem position at wing-back, which has been left vacant by the departure of Rob Warner at the end of last season.

Preece has already been rebuffed in his attempt to sign one player and has made no further progress on the transfer front.

He will monitor the fitness of Justin Thompson before picking his side for the match at Meadow Park.

The defender is recovering from a kick on the ankle.

Adam Burley, who missed the Evesham clash, is considered "pretty doubtful" for the meeting with the Southern League premier division side.

The City boss could also run the rule over three more trialists in tonight's game.

Former Walsall young midfielder Shane Cartwright, Tom Birch and Adam Wooton will find out by Thursday if they have a future at St George's Lane.

Wooton is a midfielder from Hereford and Birch a centre-back from Cheltenham.