TOP scorer Darren Middleton and experienced defender Paul Carty return for Worcester City's crunch encounter with Crawley Town at St George's Lane tonight (7.45).

The pair will be added to the squad after missing Saturday's 2-2 draw with Hinckley due to suspension.

City manager John Barton will again wait on the fitness of influential midfielder John Snape, but is hopeful he will be fit after he suffered no reaction following his second-half substitute's appearance against the Knitters.

Captain Carl Heeley has also shrugged off a dead leg and will be fit to lead the team.

Billy Smith's Sussex side visit Worcester on the back of an FA Cup exit at the hands of Dagenham & Redbridge and that can work two ways according to Barton.

"They will either be disappointed or be resolved to get a result and Crawley have got enough talent to pose us a threat and we will need to be at our sharpest," he said.

After dropping two points against Hinckley this evening's match has added significance for City's title aspirations.

"We would have liked to have come away with a maximum of six points but that's not possible now so four is what we have to go for," said Barton.

"Saturday was disappointing primarily for the nature of the goals we conceded having got our noses in front.

"For all the possession we had in the second-half we couldn't force it home and I don't think we would have scored if we had been playing until now.

"I can't fault the lads for their attitude and application, but it was always going to be a tricky game because Hinckley have had some good results against the top sides."

Heeley is relishing the challenge posed by Crawley and remains confident despite the defensive lapses against Hinckley.

"We let the side down defensively but it was bound to happen sooner or later but now we have an early opportunity to put it right," he said.

"Both sides have got aspirations to challenge for the title and Crawley will be a tough nut to crack.

"I was quite impressed with them at their place but we did well to get a point. They've got five or six excellent strikers and are always a handful going forward."

FORMCAST: City to nick it 2-1.