YOUNGSTER Lewis Skyers is poised to make his full Worcester City debut at Southport tomorrow unless manager John Barton secures a goalkeeper in a last-ditch loan move today.

Barton will have no option but to field rookie Skyers if he fails to clinch a deal before this afternoon's registration deadline.

The promising goalkeeper, who has progressed through City's academy ranks, is likely to get his chance after talks to draft in a more experienced player broke down.

City were on the chase for a goalkeeper currently struggling for first-team action at his Nationwide Conference club, along with a player at a Coca-Cola League Two outfit, but negotiations broke down with both.

Barton admits the rush to bring somebody in during the last fortnight has left him feeling 'drained', yet he insists he will fight on right up to the deadline.

He said: "I've done nothing else over the last few days but make a frantic search to get somebody in. The two goalies we have been looking at have both fallen through for varying circumstances. It's quite difficult, to be honest, but there's still a couple of irons in the fire which may or may not come off.

"There is not much time left but we will keep on trying right until the deadline at 3pm. That's when we have got to have somebody registered."

Skyers made substitute appearances in both of City's last two games at St George's Lane. He first replaced City's number one goalkeeper Danny McDonnell against Cambridge City in the FA Cup when McDonnell broke three ribs in an unfortunate challenge with his own captain Carl Heeley.

He then made an impressive performance when he came off the bench during the October 9 draw with Alfreton Town following a serious knee injury to Aaron Kerr.

Barton has wanted to guard young Skyers from the first team, claiming he was not quite ready for the demands of Nationwide North football. However, the manager is willing to give Skyers his big chance at Haig Avenue tomorrow unless he pulls off a last-minute loan signing.