ADAM Webster has been ruled out of Worcester City's mouth-watering clash with early season leaders Newport County at St George's Lane tonight (7.45).

The striker has been laid low by tonsillitis but Mark Owen stands by to continue up front alongside Darren Middleton who scored City's equaliser in the 1-1 draw at Chelmsford City on Saturday.

Manager John Barton is expected to name an unchanged side for the third match in a row -- a luxury not available to him before during his two-and-a-half years at the club.

City, unbeaten with a win and two draws, will put their title credentials on the line against the Exiles who, with three wins out of three, top the Dr Martens Premier Division.

It has all the ingredients for an explosive encounter, according to Barton, who will be seeking more conviction from his side in their finishing after City missed a succession of chances against Chelmsford.

"We footballed Chelmsford to death but we just needed to show a little bit more conviction and a cutting edge," he said.

"Newport's visit has all the makings of a crackerjack and it is going to be a good test for us.

"They've come flying out of the traps and Newport will be one of the teams up their challenging at the top."

Barton has been encouraged by his team's opening three displays and believes, if they can maintain the momentum, will get their rewards.

"What has pleased us is that apart from the second-half against Hastings, we've put in some consistent performances and if we continue to do that the results will reflect that," he added.

Meanwhile, the team emerged un-scathed from a dramatic incident on their return from Chelmsford when the coach was engulfed in thick black smoke on the M25.

The players and directors were forced to flee onto the hard shoulder but were unable to remove their kit bags.

Fortunately when their gear was eventually recovered it was undamaged.

"We were very lucky and everybody on board was convinced that the coach was going to explode after we had got off it," said club director Dave Boddy.