THE race for places in Worcester City's first team hots up tonight with the visit of Second Division Queen's Park Rangers (7.45).

Manager John Barton, back from a two-week break, will run a close eye over his team with a view to discovering his best starting eleven for the coming Dr Martens Premier Division campaign.

Among the positions to be decided are a front two with new signing Leon Kelly added to the equation though he comes with no guarantee of a start, according to Barton.

Adam Webster, Mark Owen and Stewart Hadley will all be keen to demonstrate their abilities against a strong QPR side packed with experienced forwards of its own including Kevin Gallen and Paul Furlong.

"Everybody has got the same opportunity to impress," said Barton.

"Just because we have made a new signing it doesn't guarantee you a place in the team.

"As we saw last year when our season fell apart to some degree from a lack of depth it's important to have competition between players."

John Snape is set to return after missing the Coventry City game with a groin strain while Barton will also take a close look at trialists Chris Dawson and Kevin Halliday.

Barton was due to speak to a Conference defender today possibly with a view to the player being drafted in at the last minute to face QPR.

"It looks like QPR will send a strong team and it will be a good test for us, and hopefully a good exercise for them," said Barton.

"We are still short of the likes of David Holmes, Allan Davies and Pat Lyons and it's a balancing act of sorts, trying to get some shape and structure into the team as well as giving people the opportunity to get some fitness and match practice.

"There are different combinations to look at all over the pitch and everybody will have the chance to impress."

QPR are also likely to give a debut to summer signing Martin Rowlands who has missed their early pre-season programme through injury.

David Holmes played 70 minutes in City Reserves' 3-2 victory at Pershore Town on Saturday but Jon Holloway will again be missing with a groin strain picked us against KSK Beveren in Belgium.

The full QPR squad is Chris Day, Terrell Forbes, Gino Padula, Steve Palmer, Clarke Carlisle, Dan Shittu, Matthew Rose, Marc Bircham, Richard Langley, Kevin Gallen, Gareth Ainsworth, Eric Sabin, Nick Culkin, Richard Pacquette, Wes Daly, Marcus Bean, Dennis Oli, Ben Walshe, Paul Furlong and Martin Rowlands.