RICHARD Dryden is hoping to have another defender in his squad before Saturday's Blue Square North trip to Nuneaton Borough.

However, the arrival of a new recruit at St George's Lane could depend on transfer activity elsewhere.

The City manager had been hoping to bolster his back-line following the acquisition of teenager Jon Munday on loan from Kidderminster Harriers.

A left-back appears to be top of the wish-list with Shabir Khan a long-term casualty and Jamie Price more comfortable in midfield.

But Dryden's preferred choice is currently on the books of another club and prising him away is proving slightly trickier than first expected.

However, the Worcester chief is confident he can have the issue sorted once and for all by the time City visit Nuneaton Borough in Blue Square North on Saturday.

He said: "We are stuck in a chain at the moment and hopefully it will be resolved in two to three days but I am hopeful. I think the club is still waiting to get players in and when they do it will be OK."

Dryden made the most of not having a training session tonight to keep tabs on other scouting targets on his radar.

The players were given the night off in a bid to prevent any further injuries to an already limited squad.

Meanwhile, the City fans who raised nearly £1,000 in just 24 hours for goalkeeper Danny McDonnell's shoulder operation may get their money back.

Chairman Dave Boddy will contact the South Bank Hospital tomorrow as it is believed chiefs could be willing to forgo the operation fee following plenty of publicity.

Ex-Birmingham City player Price has won the Blue Square North player-of-the-month award for December after a string of impressive displays.