EVESHAM United boss Paul Collicutt is expecting a competitive local derby against Littleton at the Jubilee Stadium tonight (7.45pm).

The Robins were thumped 6-0 by a youthful Kidderminster Harriers line-up in the Worcestershire FA Senior Cup third-place play-off on Saturday.

Collicutt admits he won’t be losing any sleep over the defeat to a well-drilled and fitter Harriers’ side.

“At this time of the season, it’s not about results and I thought Kidderminster did play extremely well,” he said.

“It’s important to remember Kidderminster’s players are training full-time and they showed my lads the better levels of fitness you get in full-time football.

“We have played Kidderminster and Cheltenham Town in pre-season and both teams have been a lot sharper in terms of their fitness.

“It’s nothing to be concerned about because my lads can’t get to that level of fitness. We are lucky if we get our players for an hour-and-a-half on Tuesdays and Thursdays.”

He added: “Littleton won at the weekend.

“It was a competitive game against them last season and I am expecting something similar this time.

“Local pride will be at stake. I won’t be losing any sleep over Saturday’s defeat against Kidderminster.”

Collicutt is hoping to have a strong squad to choose from.

He is hoping defenders Matt Sysum (knee) and Jared Wilson (work commitments), goalkeeper Kevin Sawyer (unavailable) and striker Lance Smith (shoulder), who all missed Saturday’s defeat, will be available.

The Evesham boss gave a run-out to 20-year-old Zack Kotwica, a winger from Cheltenham Town, against Harriers and was impressed by the trialist.

Gloucester-born Kotwica has played first-team football for Cheltenham and is well known for his pace and goals, having enjoyed loan spells with Bishop’s Cleeve and Gloucester City.

“We had a look at Zack and we would like to get the lad on loan for a month or two but I understand a couple of other clubs would also like to have a look at him,” said Collicutt.

“He played well against us earlier in the season for Cheltenham.

“I have one or two contacts at Cheltenham and they made me aware Zack could be available.

“Cheltenham can’t really afford him to be at the club and not playing so he has to go out on loan.”

Littleton beat Alcester Town 4-1 at the weekend with goals from Dan Holloway (2), Kyonn Evans and James Schembri.

Their short trip to Evesham normally attracts one of the hosts’ better attendances of pre-season.