WORCESTER City have the incentive of an FA Trophy fourth round home clash with Conference outfit Margate on February 1 if they can overcome Newport County tonight (7.45).

City's rearranged match with the Exiles at St George's Lane has beaten the weather and Barton is bracing himself for a testing encounter against the in-form Welsh side.

Barton is set to field the same side that finished victorious against the Lambs which means a return for Adam Webster up front and Darren Middleton dropping back to midfield alongside Jon Holloway.

The St George's Lane boss knows they must deliver a similar performance if they are to have any chance of repeating their Trophy run of three years ago when they reached the last 16 before losing to Telford United.

"Like anything else we have to be ready whenever we play," he said.

"We have to be in the same frame of mind as we were for the second-half against Tamworth and that's the response I will be looking for."

Worcester will be hoping for a bumper crowd with the Exiles set to bring a large travelling support which boosted August's league meeting gate to more than 1,500.

Newport manager Peter Nicholas, who has since taken over from Tim Harris, comes into the tie on the back of a three-match winning streak but the ex-Chelsea player has a number of injuries that have weakened his squad.

Welsh semi-professional midfielder Nathan Davies is out with a back injury, while Neil Davis, scorer of 10 goals this season, has a knee injury and Richard French (ankle) is also doubtful.

Barton's squad is once again down in numbers with Asa Charlton's departure to Halesowen Town last week and John Snape, Mark Owen, Mark Shail, Stewart Hadley, David Foy and Marc Burrow still ruled out with injuries.

If this evening's match is drawn it will be replayed next Monday.

n Hereford United play Nationwide Conference leaders Yeovil Town at Edgar Street tomorrow night (7.45) in the third round of the FA Trophy.

A home draw against Morecambe or Lancaster awaits the winner of tomorrow's tie.