WORCESTER City are relishing the opportunity to test themselves against Blue Square North form team Stalybridge Celtic on Saturday.
Richard Dryden's men travel to Bower Fold to face a team that has climbed to third in the table by virtue of winning their last six games.
Meanwhile, City have won two, drawn two and lost two and have seen their play-off challenge falter as a result.
However, they are buoyed by their amazing comeback against Tamworth last Saturday and a 3-2 victory over Kidderminster in the Worcestershire Senior Cup on Monday.
Players are also returning to fitness and Dryden is looking forward to tackling Stalybridge with strikers Matt Dinsmore and Mark Danks.
Both missed the trip to leaders Kettering earlier this month, highlighted by the fact City failed to register a shot on goal at the A-Line Arena.
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The Worcester manager believes Stalybridge and Kettering are the sides to beat at the moment and thinks his team is in better shape heading to Greater Manchester.
He said: "It will be good for the young lads to go and have a game against them to see how far they have come in a short space of time.
"There's no pressure on us. If we can create a lot more than we did against Kettering, that means we are improving. We let ourselves down against Kettering, although they scored two late goals.
Richard Dryden
“Kettering and Stalybridge are the form sides at the moment. Hopefully, we can stick a few spanners in the works.”
"Kettering and Stalybridge are the form sides at the moment. Hopefully, we can stick a few spanners in the works."
Although City now have four fit strikers to choose from, they will be without Graham Ward with medial ligament damage sustained in extra-time against Harriers.
George Clegg (Achilles) remains a doubt in midfield after coming off during the 3-3 thriller with Tamworth last weekend.
Rapinder Gill could also miss out again after sitting out Monday's match with a knee ligament problem.
However, Jon Munday is set to return to the side after being unavailable against parent club Kidderminster and is almost certain to partner Chris Smith in central defence with Ryan Clarke returning to right-back.
Midfielder Emeka Nwadike is back in contention following suspension and a hamstring problem.
Dryden added: "I am not very optimistic of Graham being fit but Emeka seems optimistic he's going to be fit so that's a massive plus. Jon and Emeka will probably come in.
"Hopefully we can keep this little run going and give Stalybridge a massive problem."
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