WORCESTER City boss John Barton has paid tribute to the players he refers to as his 'Little Triangle'.

Goalkeeper Danny McDonnell and the two central defenders in front of him, Carl Heeley and Mark Tucker, have been in outstanding form in recent weeks.

They have been key figures in City's fine run that has lifted them onto the fringes of the Dr Martens League Premier Division title race and in with a chance of a decent FA Umbro Trophy run.

The form of Heeley and Tucker has kept the vast experience of Martin Weir on the sidelines waiting for his chance.

Barton said: "To have those two around to cover somebody of Martin's ability and class is very important.

"With Danny, I think that little triangle is the most important group of players on the pitch."

Barton believes that Heeley, who has played in every match this season, is displaying his best form since joining City back in 1994.

He said: "I don't know what has gone on before but this is probably his best spell at the club.

"He came back in the summer in good nick, has worked very hard pre-season and he has had a run free from injuries, and we have seen the benefits of that in his performances."

Tucker, remarkably, has shown his best form since being placed on the transfer list, due to the constant strain of travelling from his Northampton home.

Barton added: "His re-sponse to that has been first-class. He has a smile back on his face and looks as if he is enjoying his game.

"Things can get on top of you. I do a fair bit of travelling myself but I don't have the same physical requirements when I get to the ground as he does.

"People who are doing that at the time of night he does after a day's work will find it physically very tiring. But we have seen some excellent performances, and reminiscent of the ones him and Martin gave at the start of the year."

All this leaves former Kidderminster Harriers defender Weir on the bench, and Barton admitted: "I never thought when I came to the club I would be in a position of saying that Martin would have to wait.

"The form they are in at the moment, neither of them deserves to be left out of the side. But it is nice to know that they have a threat.

"Martin has had a couple of short spells as substitute and looked as good as ever. He would like to be playing as anyone else would, but he has been OK about it."

The third member of the 'triangle', McDonnell, is now emphasising just why City signed him from Halesowen Town last summer.

Barton said: "We knew at the time what we were getting, and we haven't been disappointed. A good example was the save that kept us in the Trophy at Hendon -- if it had been on television, you would still be talking about it now.

"In my opinion he is the best keeper in the league. Halesowen thought he was worth 15-20 points a season to them, and he has probably been worth seven or eight points to us already."

City's Trophy replay means their Dr Martens Cup second round tie at Tamworth has been put back to Tuesday, January 9. And tonight's Central Conference clash with Hednesford Town has been postponed.