17/01/00 - Players told to forget Trophy

City entertain bottom club Grantham Town in the Dr Martens League Premier Division (7.45), fresh from reaching the fourth round of the Trophy with a 2-1 win over Bromley.

But with another run of important league games starting tonight, Barton is urging his players to concentrate on the immediate task in hand.

He is also seeking an improved performance after City had to come from behind to beat Bromley.

Barton said: "We have won the Trophy game and the draw will take care of itself. It is now total 100 per cent focus on tonight and getting three points against Grantham.

"The destiny of this season won't be decided on tonight's game, but due to the poor start we made, we can't afford any slip-ups against anybody."

City will climb two places to 16th if they win tonight and, more importantly, open up a six-point gap between them and the bottom four.

Grantham, who lost 2-0 at home to City in September, have been rooted to the bottom all season but have picked up in recent weeks following a take-over.

"They have changed it around a bit and it represents a more difficult fixture than what it was earlier in the season," added Barton. "But it doesn't matter what they do, it is down to our performance. If we don't start the game right and play like we did in the first half on Saturday we won't get anything."

Barton is hoping defender Mark Tucker may be fit to play a part tonight, having been left on the bench on Saturday after breaking a toe in last week's fine victory at Burton.

He is likely to face a fitness test before the game although it is more likely that Carl Heeley will continue alongside Martin Weir in the centre of defence.

Striker Sam Bowen could also be back in the squad after 'flu ruled him out of the Bromley game.

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