STRIKER Mark Owen is poised to return for Worcester City in tonight's crucial Dr Martens League Premier Division game at Burton Albion (7.30).

Owen has shaken off the influenza bug that ruled him out of Saturday's 4-3 home defeat against Newport. He is in line to replace Sam Bowen up front.

However, defender Martin Weir is almost certainly out with the rib injury that forced him to come off against Newport, while midfielder Ian Cottrill is rated as doubtful with a thigh problem.

Carl Heeley will continue alongside Mark Tucker in the centre of defence, while transfer-listed Paul Carty is likely to partner Nathan Jukes in the centre of midfield. Trialist striker Neil Ross and young midfielder Jamie Hyde are also in the squad.

Two successive defeats for City mean that they desperately need a result tonight to lift them away from the relegation zone, as manager John Barton acknowledged.

"The emphasis has always been on getting points from all our games because of the catch-up situation we find ourselves in. Losing the last two has placed greater importance on tonight.

"There are not too many people giving us much chance of getting anything tonight, which takes a little bit of anxiety out of it for us and could work in our favour."

Barton is keen to play down his return to the club he managed for more than four years before being succeeded by former Nottingham Forest star Nigel Clough. "It is not about me going back to my previous club -- it is about Worcester City trying to get some points."

He admits that fifth-placed Burton will pose another stiff test for his team. "They are a good side who are not in a false position, and their home form has been excellent. Nigel Clough is very influential for them. Tactically we may make a couple of adjustments in a bid to combat certain things."

Worcester (from): Watson, Sandeman, Willetts, Tucker, Heeley, Jukes, Deakin, Owen, Bowen, Lutz, Knight, Purdie, Carty, Ross, Hyde, Cottrill.

Tonight also sees the club's annual meeting at the St George's Lane social club (7.30pm). This will be followed by an open forum at which anyone can attend.