JOHN Barton will make a second bid to sign a midfielder today ahead of Worcester City's home clash with Weymouth tomorrow (3pm).

The St George's Lane manager has already had one bid for the unnamed player snubbed, but remains keen to strengthen his squad before the transfer deadline at 5pm on Monday.

Barton looks set to be without midfielder Pat Lyons and forward David Holmes for the rest of the season after both saw specialists and were recommended to have surgery.

Holmes has a groin injury, while Lyons needs a further scan on his hip flexor muscle but is expected to require an operation. Allan Davies is also due to see a specialist next week about his groin injury.

There was some good news for Barton last night when midfielder David Foy emerged unscathed from training and should be fit to start against the Terras tomorrow as City seek to re-ignite their charge for the Dr Martens Premier Division runners- up spot.

Stewart Hadley's Achilles remains sore but he is expected to play but Mark Owen will have an outing in the reserves as he strives to recapture full fitness.

After four matches without a win Barton has just one thought on his mind. "We're looking to win a match, that's our objective," he said.

"We deserved something from Havant, we didn't deserve anything more than what we got on Monday night against Halesowen and got exactly what we deserved against Tiverton."

Weymouth held City to a goalless draw earlier in the season and Barton admits his side will need to be sharper in front of goal.

"That was one of those games that had three points for the taking but we squandered a number of chan-ces," he said.

"For all the play we had we didn't convert that into goals and they had a few chances themselves so it's going to be no pushover.

"People look at the league table at this time of year and it shows top versus bottom but these fixtures are never straightforward.

"They are scrapping for their lives and trying to get out of the trouble, but our team has got to be good enough to get past anybody."