WORCESTER City joint-boss Lee Hughes has admitted his spell on the sidelines will prove difficult as his side bids to continue a positive start to the new season.
The striker injured his hip flexor running up to take a penalty in last Tuesday’s 5-0 demolition of AFC Wulfrunians and will be out of contention for ‘a few weeks’.
It’s the first time the 41-year-old has suffered the injury which left him in a crumpled heap following a scuffed penalty which dribbled past the right hand post.
“I just put my leg back and felt it pop, my hip flexor popped. I couldn’t get any power behind the shot,” Hughes said.
“I’m going to find it difficult having to watch the team because I still want to be out there but I don’t mind standing on the sideline.
Hughes’ absence meant fans favourite Mark Danks earned a starting spot in Sunday’s 1-1 FA Cup draw with Chasetown but it was 16-year-old Aaron Brett who made the headlines with his first goal for the Blue and Whites.
A stunning 25-yard effort from Chasetown’s Will Whielden put the visitors ahead on 21 minutes in the preliminary round tie after City had been forced to replace prolific striker Dave Reynolds.
The in-form forward, a summer signing from Malvern Town, chased a through-ball but collided with Chasetown keeper Darren Pond in a clash which led to both Reynolds and Pond being taken off with head injuries.
Reynolds’ departure handed teenager Brett the chance to shine and the youngster grabbed his first goal in a City shirt when he followed up Danks’s shot against the crossbar to finish coolly from 12 yards in first-half injury time.
In a physical second half, City’s Brad Birch was dismissed along with James O’Neil from the visitors but the scores remained level.
City travelled to Staffordshire on Tuesday night for the replay but saw their road to Wembley come to an end with a 2-0 defeat at the hands of the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League outfit.
Speaking before the clash, Hughes said he and joint-boss John Snape were delighted with the start to the new season.
“If you offered us in pre-season the start to the season we have had, then we’d take it every time,” said the former West Bromwich Albion and Kidderminster Harriers forward.
“The defence and Nathan Hayward and Brad Birch in the centre of midfield have not stopped running and I think between the six of them and the wide players I think we are going to do well.
“The team spirit is there already. You see it everyone is over there when we score and that don’t happen much in football now.
“We’ve got to keep going because if we take the foot off the gas in this league then we’ll be in trouble, we’ll keep giving them confidence.”
City turn their attention back to the Midland League Premier Division on Saturday when they entertain Loughborough University before they travel to Coventry United on Bank Holiday Monday.
