MARK Shail has made a shock return to Worcester City and will play in their home clash with Salisbury City tomorrow.

Manager John Barton has swooped to sign the 35-year-old defender on a non-contract basis after he was released by Kidderminster Harriers earlier this week.

The deal has been completed to help City through an injury crisis which sees 12 players ruled out of tomorrow's clash (3pm), although City are hopeful it may become permanent.

Former Droitwich High School pupil Shail started his career at City in the 1980s before moving via Yeovil to Bristol City, where he spent seven years before joining Harriers in the summer of 2000.

Barton was forced to skip training last night in a desperate bid to call in favours and recruit loan players to boost his depleted squad.

New signing Adam Webster, still waiting to make his debut, is rated doubtful, while winger Dwaine McFarlane is due to have a late fitness test.

Definitely out are Allan Davies (hamstring), Mark Shepherd (hamstring), Andy Ellis (ankle), Phil Stant (Achilles), plus long term injuries Mark Owen, Darren Middleton, Chris Greenman and Ian Cottrill. Midfielders Jon Holloway and Leon Jackson are both suspended.

"It's not looking good," admitted Barton. "We are trying to bring players in and I missed training last night spending all evening on the phone.

"Adam Webster has been in bed all week with a virus and is no more than 50-50, while we are waiting on Dwaine McFarlane who has a badly bruised toe.

"The injury situation could start to really grind us down if we let it, but we're up for the Salisbury game tomorrow and we have got to be ready with whoever we've got."

Barton said Paul Webb, also released by Kidderminster, was one of many players he had been in contact with in a bid to bolster his injury-depleted team.

Youth team players Liam McDonald and Matt Stock, who were both on the bench for the 2-0 defeat at Tiverton last month, have been drafted into the squad.

"The injuries are not making things any easier for us," admitted Barton. "Week in, week out we seem to be hit by circumstances going against us and it is really tough."

Against Tiverton, City were without 11 first team players and youth team manager, Ray Woods, was drafted in as an emergency replacement.