WORCESTER City boss John Barton has paid tribute to Ian Cottrill who has decided to retire after succumbing to injury.

Cottrill was forced to limp off in Monday's reserve team match at Studley and after speaking to Barton last night decided it was time to call it a day.

Barton, who managed the midfielder at both Nuneaton and City, described Cottrill as "one of the finest players" he had encountered during his career.

"Ian has been a rare breed, there is no doubt about it," said Barton. "His appearances for the club is testimony to his ability but what a lot of people don't know is Ian Cottrill the person.

"You don't very often get both ability and character rolled into one but he had it in abundance. I worked with him twice, George Rooney held him in high regard and at the level he has been operating at he has been one of the finest players around."

Barton had been hoping to use Cottrill's experience to City's benefit.

"He had a very interesting role to play at the club helping use his experience with the reserves on the pitch but it was all on the assumption of his fitness," added Barton. "But he couldn't carry on past half-time on Monday and after a chat last night decided to call it a day."

Cottrill is one of City's longest serving players making 431 appearances and scoring 57 goals.