WORCESTER City manager John Barton faces a selection headache with record signing Jai Stanley jostling for a starting role ahead of in-form Liam McDonald.

The teenage midfielder has been a key figure in City's unbeaten four-match run that has swept the club up to third place in the Dr Martens Premier Division.

But Stanley's return to fitness has left Barton with a tough decision to make before tomorrow's clash at Tiverton Town (3pm).

Stanley was back in action as a substitute in place of McDonald for Tuesday's 1-1 draw at Bath City and made an immediate impact with a flick to help Leon Kelly break the deadlock.

After the match Barton explained his thinking behind the substitution.

"Liam's had a few warning signs with a hamstring and it was touch and go whether we played him at Bath," said Barton.

"At 0-0 we felt we could win the match with a bit of quality and it was a gamble we were prepared to take and it looked like it was going to pay off.

"Leon took his goal well and we got Jai back in and his quality stood out."

City's manager will weigh up Stanley's lack of match fitness against McDonald's slight hamstring problem but could be tempted to give the 19-year-old a rest.

"If you look at the 16 who have been available for the last two games, that is as healthy a situation as we have had since I have been here," added Barton.

"That is what we have been aiming at, we have had too much time not having these people available to us for one reason or another. We are delighted to get to this stage and I would like to have Kevin Halliday back soon as well."

However, Stanley admits he might have to bide his time before he resume his place in the starting line-up.

"I'm not fully, fully fit but the only way to get that is by playing and I think I'm more or less ready," said Stanley.

"But Liam's been doing well and when people are doing well you can't really change so we'll have to see. I was a little sore after Tuesday but that's the way it goes but I've had no swelling or anything major."

Whatever team Barton decides to put out, his players will need to be at their best to force a result against the Devon club who are also riding high in the table in fifth spot.

"I've got a high regard for Tiverton and they are a good side," said Barton.

"We've not done that well there in recent times so we'll need to be prepared. But Nun-eaton was a tough match and we came through that."