JACOB Rowe is expected to have shaken off a knee problem in time for Worcester City's FA Trophy clash against Barrow at Aggborough tomorrow (3pm).

The centre-half hobbled off towards the end of the first-half of last Saturday's 3-0 victory at Harrogate after a long-standing tendonitis complaint flared up.

With veteran centre-half Wayne Thomas forced to miss tomorrow's third qualifying round tie through suspension, after picking up five bookings, manager Carl Heeley is hopeful of having Rowe available to line-up alongside fellow former Birmingham City defender Graham Hutchison.

Although Shabir Khan is available after being sent on loan to Stourport Swifts, the Pakistan international has not featured this season.

Heeley said: "We will have to see a bit closer to the game but I saw Jacob on Tuesday and he said it had settled down and it felt ok. If it continues like that I am optimistic.

"Not having Wayne is a blow to us but these things happen."

Hutchison and Rowe were the central defensive pairing the last time City faced Barrow, which ended in a 1-0 defeat at Holker Street in September.

But City are a much-improved team since then and, spurred on by the arrival of Sean Geddes, have climbed the Conference North ladder and reached the FA Cup second round.

They are also unbeaten at Aggborough this season and Heeley insists his team will not be fazed by a Barrow side sitting top of the table and unbeaten in their last six games.

"It's going to be one of our sternest tests we have had this season if not the sternest at home but we are going well and are on a good run of form," he said. "We can look at the game and be optimistic.

"The following week against Scunthorpe takes care of itself, we are just concentrating on the next game and trying to get into the next round of the Trophy.

"They are a good side but we are not too bad ourselves. We just want to continue our run."

Last Saturday's win at Harrogate, in which Daniel Nti scored twice and Geddes once, stretched Worcester's unbeaten sequence to 11 matches.

Captain Ellis Deeney is set to return after being rested at Wetherby Road to avoid him picking up a fifth booking, which would have ruled him out against Scunthorpe. Danny Jackman was also left out but should be restored to the side.

Left-sided midfielder Connor Gudger's loan at Northern League Premier Division promotion hopefuls Barwell has been extended into a second month.