MANAGER John Barton is hoping to finalise a deal to bring Mitch Counsell to Worcester City.

The Bishop's Cleeve player is described as a box-to-box midfielder and should be in City's squad to face Moor Green on Saturday.

Counsell has already trained with the club and Barton admits to liking what he has seen.

"It's always difficult just to judge from training but he's shown a few nice touches and hopefully we can have him on board for Saturday," he said.

Counsell is also being tracked by Nationwide Conference side Forest Green Rovers.

Meanwhile Worcester's board of directors last night discussed Dover Athletic goalkeeper Paul Hyde's alleged racist comments towards Paul Carty during Saturday's match, which City lost 1-0, and the investigation is ongoing.

Director Dave Boddy said: "It was an unsavoury incident. We have a strict policy on racism because there is no place for it in football."

City's home Dr Martens Premier Division match with Halesowen Town, which clashes with their FA Trophy tie against Margate next weekend, has been switched to Monday, March 24 (7.45).