LEON Kelly, Mark Owen and Adam Webster should be wary that someone from within is keen to steal their place up front -- defender Barry Woolley.

Worcester City's giant centre-half confessed that he would love to play as a striker for the St George's Lane club, just for the odd game or two.

There are just two scenarios when Woolley enjoys opportunities to saunter into the opposition's penalty box.

Firstly, at threatening set-pieces and, secondly, when given the manager's nod to help City nick a draw in desperate circumstances.

The former Ilkeston Town man has already shown a fine eye for goal this season, scoring with his head at Moor Green and Kettering Town.

He was also unlucky not to grab his third strike of the campaign at Nuneaton Borough on New Year's Day when his bullet header from Les Hines' corner struck a goal-line defender and the underside of the crossbar.

His aspiration for a striking role may be tongue-in-cheek, but several supporters at the Lane identify Woolley as the club's best header of the ball and potentially an ideal target-man.

Woolley said: "I must admit, quite a few people have said that to me. I would love to have a go up front for Worcester. I have played at other clubs up front and I enjoy it.

"I played about four or five games for Gresley Rovers as a makeshift striker when they had a good run in the Trophy and I scored quite a few goals.

"But I'm a defender and my job is to help keep clean sheets, not score goals at the other end. I have got two goals this season, though, and I would like to put a few more chances in the net that come my way.

"Because of my height, I've always got a chance at corners. When it's hit high, if you are six foot four, you are more likely to get your head on it.

"It would have been nice if the header went in (at Nuneaton). I went up with the defender and just glanced it.

"The ball has hit the defender's shin, the underside of the bar, then come out. That was unlucky and we really needed a goal."

Woolley is one of several City stars to go down with a virus this week with other stricken players including fellow centre-half Colin Hoyle, Pat Lyons, Jai Stanley, Liam McDonald and long-term injury absentee Christian Moore.

The 26-year-old admits he was under the weather on the coach heading to Bradford Park Avenue on Wednesday.

He believes the postponement was good fortune for City considering the numbers hit by the bug.

Woolley added: "The main thing is that we get three points against Ashton today, no matter what the situation we are in. I think Bradford may have done us a favour by calling off the game.

"I personally think it's a blessing because we weren't in the best shape with Colin not available and a few of us feeling ill.

"Okay, we've paid for the bus to take us there, but the three points is vital at the end of the day."