WORCESTER City boss John Barton hopes to sign up to three players on his return from holiday next week.

Speculation on the club's web site suggests that Burton Albion full-back, Allan Davies, could be one of the players.

Barton refused to be drawn on the subject but at a recent fans' forum at St George's Lane he indicated he would like to bring in one or two defenders.

Davies enjoyed a successful three-month loan spell at St George's Lane last season.

Barton admits he would like to strengthen his squad further but realises there is no bottomless pit of money to dip into at City. "We all have to work within what the club as a whole can realistically afford and I have agreed to do that," he said.

"The board are doing their best to, when they can, make more resources available."

Barton is looking for an extra 20 goals next season and at the fans' forum said he would love to have a player like Burton Albion's Darren Stride.

"Stride scored around 20 goals from midfield and they were key goals that turned games," he told fans.

Away from the pitch plans by the Football Association to restructure the non-league soccer scene could see Worcester make up one of two regionalised national leagues below the Nationwide Conference.

Barton, who has also managed Burton Albion and Nuneaton Borough, said any attempts to reorganise on geographical grounds were subject to distortion by promotion and relegation.

"I think with this new structure they are hoping to get the elite clubs to the top," he said.

"But geographical reorganisation doesn't always bring the best clubs together.

"Worcester, Bromsgrove, Per-shore, Evesham and Hereford could all play in the same league but it wouldn't be the strongest."

He added non-league was frustrating because a team could finish top but have to wait weeks while the club was assessed to make sure it was suitable for promotion.