WORCESTER City's pre-season build-up to date has been hampered by a growing injury list.

It is proving a headache for manager, John Barton, as he prepares for his second full season in charge at St George's Lane.

Strikers Mark Owen and Mark Shepherd plus Nathan Jukes, Paul Carty and Allan Davies all missed Tuesday's game against Sutton with Ian Reed and Martin Weir also picking up knocks.

"You want a pre-season that progresses and reaches a peak by August 18 with the manager picking the side not the side picking itself because of injuries," said Barton.

City have been playing with both 4-4-2 and 3-5-2 formations during their friendlies both of which Barton believes are important in the modern game.

"Ideally we would like to be able to adapt within games to different situations," he said.

"I think the days of rigid systems are disappearing, teams need to be flexible."

Dave Jones brings a Wolverhampton Wanderers XI to St George's Lane on Monday and for Barton, who played with him for Everton, it is great to see the former Southampton boss return to football after his well-documented troubles.

"I think everybody who knows him has the utmost sympathy for what he and his family have been through," said Barton.

"It is nice to see him come through it and get himself back in football."

Worcester fans will also be able to see trialist Darren Middleton, who is likely to line up against Wolves.

City's home Dr Martens League Premier Division game with Ilkeston Town has been brought forward a day to Friday, October 5, (ko 7.45pm) to avoid a clash with England's final World Cup qualifier against Greece.