VETERAN midfielder Ian Cottrill still has a role to play at Worcester City if he can prove his fitness says manager John Barton.

Cottrill, who is due a testimonial with the St George's Lane club, was hampered by a knee injury last season which restricted his appearances.

His successful comeback from surgery ended during a freak accident at Chelmsford City when he slipped and twisted his ankle in the dressing room before the match.

Cottrill is working hard to regain his fitness over the summer and Barton is keeping a keen eye on his progress.

"We've talked about next season with a specific role in mind but it all depends on Ian proving his fitness and that he has got over his knee injury," said Barton.

"He will come back at pre-season and work hard at regaining his level of fitness."

Meanwhile Swifts' boss Tim Langford admitted he is still interested in signing Cottrill who produced a series of man-of-the-match performances while on loan at Walshes Meadow during last season.

"We are on the look out for quality players and Ian Cottrill fits that bill," he said.

Barton's hopes of adding a left-sided problem player to his squad have collapsed after the target failed to agree personal terms.

Darren Middleton has emerged as the man most likely to fulfil the troubled left hand midfield berth if Barton is unable to sign a suitable candidate.

City's boss admits it is something they have considered before but says Middleton still has a long way to go to recapture his form he displayed before his injury.

"We were grateful to get him back from injury but he was not the same Darren Middleton prior to the injury and he still has something to prove," said Barton.

"Playing him on the left is a possibility but it is not his favoured position."

Barton is continuing to talk to a number of players in a bid to strengthen his squad.

"We've got a couple of irons in the fire, who of whom is in the Football League, but it is a case of waiting because he obviously wants to stay in the Football League if possible," he added.