WORCESTER City's injury-ravaged squad has been further depleted with Asa Charlton's sudden departure to Halesowen Town.

Manager John Barton is now without five first-team stars -- Mark Owen plus the long-term injured quartet of Mark Shail, Stewart Hadley, Marc Burrow and David Foy.

City's boss met another player last night to discuss a possible move but faces competition for his signature from another club.

Charlton's transfer follows a seven-day notice of approach by the Yeltz club for the 24-year-old who signed from Stourport Swifts in August.

His chances of establishing himself as a first team regular at St George's Lane were hampered by a stomach abductor strain that kept him out for most of September and October.

Once he recovered a string of impressive displays by Paul Carty at left-back further restricted his opportunities.

Charlton made five starts and nine substitute appearances and Barton was disappointed to see him go, but admitted it was a back-handed compliment to Carty.

"We didn't want him to go but Asa felt that with the way Paul Carty was playing he wasn't going to get a look in and it's hard to disagree," he said.

"When I brought Asa in it was to bring in competition and Paul has responded brilliantly -- he's been outstanding.

"Asa wants a crack at this level and you can't argue with that and we wish him the best," said the City boss.

Carty will be in the line-up to face Newport County at St George's Lane tomorrow (3pm) in the third round of the FA Trophy.

Barton has added Richard Tomkins and Liam McDonald to his squad, while Adam Webster will start up front.

"We were disappointed that we didn't take anything from the game at Newport on Boxing Day when we lost 2-1, but we didn't take our chances. This is an early chance to get some sort of revenge and keep our season alive on two fronts," said Barton.

Inspect

"It's an early opportunity to get revenge and it would be nice to get a run going especially with Villa Park as an incentive for the final," said midfielder Darren Middleton, who scored from the penalty spot against Newport.

"They were a good team, well organised and have had some good results but we felt we let ourselves down. We should have won and were disappointed after the game.

"We've had two close games al-ready this season and against organised teams we will need to be at our best and hopefully produce a piece of skill or something to win the match."

City have arranged for Worcester-based Nationwide Conference referee Steve Dorr to inspect the pitch at 9.45am tomorrow.

The St George's Lane pitch was two-thirds playable yesterday afternoon and club officials are desperately hoping for warmer conditions today.

If tomorrow's match is postponed it will be played on Monday, kick-off 7.45pm, which is also the replay date.

FORMCAST: City to win 2-1.