WORCESTER City boss John Barton has missed out in a bid to bring in a Nationwide Conference midfielder on loan.

Barton, whose squad is ravaged by injuries, was hoping to bolster his line-up before tomorrow's Dr Martens League Premier Division home clash with Moor Green (3pm).

The deal has now been put on hold, but Barton plans to pursue it again next week, al-though he declined to name the player or his club.

Barton said: "The club who were loaning us to him have had a bit of an injury crisis themselves, and it looks as if he will be in first team action tomorrow.

"But it is something we will try and follow up next week. I will contact his club and see what the situation is."

Injuries to Paul Carty and Andy Ellis have left City light in midfield, while Steve Lutz, who filled in successfully against Ilkeston last week, faces a fitness test tomorrow on an ankle injury suffered in the Ilkeston game.

John Deakin has also joined the casualty list after pulling a thigh muscle in a reserve friendly at Malvern last night.

Barton added: "We have had a lot of quality not available to us, and it makes that little bit of difference in key areas of the field."

But defender Martin Weir should be fit to play after shaking off a stomach strain.

Striker Micky Cotter resumed training last night, having not played a competitive match since his summer move from Tamworth following a cartilage operation.

Barton added: "He will need some more sessions because that is the first one he has done. He is as frustrated as anyone, but he needs to be in decent shape when he finally comes back."

Barton hopes City can correct their defensive deficiencies tomorrow to enable them to record their first home victory since February.

He said: "We are scoring a few goals at the moment. But if we can correct the one end of the pitch and maintain our work at the other, I am confident there will be a result for us tomorrow."