DARREN Middleton is hoping to declare himself fit this weekend to resume his shoot-out with Adam Webster to become Worcester City's leading scorer.

Both players have scored 14 times in league and cup action but recently Middleton has been hampered by a groin strain that ruled him out of games at Stafford and the 6-0 defeat of Folkestone.

Webster, despite also suffering from a slight groin strain, is in the middle of a rich scoring streak with five goals in his last three games that has seen him draw level with Middleton.

However two weeks' rest appears to have done the trick for Middleton who came on for the final 15 minutes in the 3-2 win at Grantham last Saturday and looked a lot sharper.

"It has been a niggling problem but it didn't feel to bad against Grantham last week," said Middleton.

"It was a bit sore the next day but it has eased off during the week. The groin injury has affected my performances because I wasn't able to sprint properly and I carried the problem for two or three games.

"But I spoke to the gaffer and we said it was important to get it right and the rest seems to have done it good and hopefully I won't need an operation or anything.

"The exercises I have been doing have strengthened the area and I feel fit and raring to go."

Middleton is not the only City player struggling with groin problems with John Snape and David Holmes also sidelined with similar injuries and the ex-Aston Villa trainee blames it on the heavy pitches they encounter.

"I played a lot of games over Christmas on heavy pitches and sometimes your body weakens and you pick up little strains," he said.

"But there are still 11 games to go and hopefully both Adam and I can stay injury free and get some more goals."

Snape has a condition called Gilmore's Groin which is due to wear and tear and is currently awaiting surgery but if the ex-Hereford United and Halesowen Town midfielder is ever tempted to feel sorry for himself he need only speak to City's David Foy.

Almost recovered from a lengthy spell out with cruciate knee damage Foy revealed he once had a double Gilmore, requiring operations on both groins.