MITCH Counsell returns to St George's Lane tomorrow with new club Bath City, insisting he's got nothing to prove to his former employers.

The 21-year-old midfielder left Worcester three weeks ago in a bid for regular first team football and to hone the undoubted talent lurking in his powerful frame.

Merely a squad player at Worcester, Counsell has risen to the challenge of a starting role at Twerton Park, and capped a promising start to his Bath career with a spectacular winner against Stafford Rangers in midweek.

Victory tomorrow would catapult the Romans alongside City in the Dr Martens Premier table and heap further pressure on John Barton's team as they seek to break out of a barren run that has brought three successive defeats.

Counsell was popular with many Worcester supporters not least for the crunching tackles which were his trademark as Wolves will testify after one of their youngsters limped off nursing a broken ankle during a pre-season friendly.

Nevertheless he was down the pecking order for midfield starting slots at Worcester although in hindsight, and with three successive defeats hanging over his head, Barton might secretly wish he was still around to add some bite to his midfield.

For Counsell tomorrow's match has added spice because of his ties with the club and he's relishing the trip to St George's Lane.

"I've been really looking forward to the Worcester match but I've got absolutely nothing to prove to anybody," said Counsell.

"I wasn't good enough to get into the team but that's something I've got to deal with.

"I loved my time at Worcester and still speak to the lads there and just want to enjoy the match but I'm not going there thinking I've got to prove myself."

"I'm playing in the middle at Bath and I've got a bit more responsibility," he added.

"The manager Alan Pridham believes in me, that's all I want, and he chucked me in right from the start and I'm settling in well."

Barton is in no doubt that Counsell will be eager to prove himself tomorrow, but City's manager has more pressing matters on his mind as he attempts to resuscitate his faltering team.

John Snape, who has been nursing an ankle knock, may be rested again which could pave the way for Darren Middleton to continue in his place alongside David Foy.

Adam Webster who impressed up front alongside Leon Kelly in the 3-1 defeat at Hednesford in midweek, is likely to retain the striker's role, leaving Pat Lyons to resume in right midfield.

Worcester's reserves are away at Oadby Town in the Midland Combination Reserve Division tomorrow (2.45).

FORMCAST: Worcester to share the spoils in a 1-1 draw.