WORCESTER City manager John Barton admits he is devastated following new injury setbacks for Barry Woolley and Christian Moore.

Defender Woolley, 26, is unavailable for two months after having his jaw broken during an attack on Saturday night while out drinking with a friend in Lichfield, Derbyshire.

He discharged himself from Derby Royal Infirmary yesterday after having a steel brace fitted to his jaw and stitches fitted to the front and back of his head.

Barton incurred more injury turmoil when it was revealed that striker Moore is out for nine months after scans showed he had ruptured his anterior cruciate ligaments to his right knee.

Moore, a summer signing from Telford United, damaged the knee in an innocuous challenge during a City reserve game against Kidderminster Harriers on September 6.

He will have an operation next Thursday but it means the 31-year-old former Ilkeston Town forward won't be kicking a ball for Worcester until next summer.

Barton said: "There is no chance whatsoever that Christian will be back playing for us until pre-season next year.

"I've basically told him to take the rest of this season off and report back at pre-season. He will probably still turn up for games with the squad but he won't be able to do any running for the next three months.

"It's devastating because we never anticipated the damage on his knee to be so bad.

"It's been a nightmare week for us. First we had Jai Stanley's operation last Tuesday, Christian out for nine months and this incident with Barry Woolley.

"It's another huge blow for us, our problems just don't seem to be going away, they are always getting worse," said Barton.

"What with Danny (McDonnell), Jai, Christian and Barry, that's the spine of the team missing for quite some time."

Meanwhile, City's promising 19-year-old defender Dan Parker has joined Travel Factory Midland Alliance outfit Boldmere St Michaels on a month's loan to gain further first team experience.

Parker, who was shipped out on loan to Evesham United last season, made his debut for Boldmere in their 3-2 away win at Biddulph Victoria on Saturday.