GOALKEEPER Danny McDonnell looks set to win his fitness battle for Worcester City's Dr Martens League Premier Division clash with Stafford Rangers at St George's Lane tomorrow (3pm).

McDonnell trained last night for the first time since suffering concussion and facial cuts when he was sent off in last week's 2-1 win at Tamworth.

City manager John Barton is hopeful he will be fit but has placed veteran Paul Hayward, who deputised in Monday's goalless draw with Bath, on standby.

Both McDonnell and defender Martin Weir, who has missed both games with a groin injury, will have fitness tests before tomorrow's game.

Barton said of McDonnell: "We will wait and see how he feels, as since the incident he has had a couple of days where he has felt unwell.

"But we are hopeful and if he feels OK, he will play."

Weir also picked up a slight stomach strain during training last night although Barton is confident he will have shaken that off. "We will see how he is tomorrow and take it from there."

There are no other fresh injuries as Worcester defend their unbeaten start to the season in a busy weekend -- they travel to Merthyr Tydfil on Monday afternoon.

But Barton admits tomorrow will be tough against newly-promoted Stafford, in front of what is expected to be saying: "They have come up and look as if they are out to prove a point.

"But if we apply ourselves like we did at Tamworth and on Monday night, there is a good chance we can achieve another favourable result.

"There is no need for us to go into the game feeling threatened. We have taken a degree of confidence from the two games, and it is a measured confidence, not over the top."

Meanwhile, Barton is hopeful that new striker Micky Cotter may be ready for a comeback early next month.

Cotter has yet to play in any match for City following a cartilage operation, but Barton said: "He has been discharged by Droitwich Knee Clinic and he did half a session last night.

"It would be nice to think he could be back in action soon."