COMPETITION is at last hotting up for places at St George's Lane.

Until relatively recently injuries have wrecked manager John Barton's best-laid plans for fielding Worcester City's strongest squad but slowly the picture is changing.

There's still not cover in enough positions but a glance at the bench in the 1-1 draw at Bath City in midweek re-vealed scope for Barton to change a game as he did with the introduction of record signing Jai Stanley who created a goal for Leon Kelly.

Midfield and central defence are where Barton has most options though City's boss must crave a back up midfielder who can step into the shoes of John Snape.

The emergence of Shabir Khan could give a viable alternative to Paul Carty at left-back with Kevin Halliday also an option when he finally returns to action following his cruciate ligament injury.

Of course while increased options are great for the manager, it's less so for the players confined to agonising bench time and a half-time kick-about.

Barry Woolley for example must be cursing his luck.

A string of fine displays had cemented the former Ilkeston Town player's place alongside Carl Heeley in the heart of the defence but after tweaking his thigh in the Dr Martens League Cup defeat with Moor Green three weeks ago, he's back in the wilderness.

Jon Holloway, not long back from injury, has grabbed his chance with both hands leaving Woolley to contemplate more time on the sidelines.

Sympathy

City captain Heeley has some sympathy for his team-mate Woolley but knows exactly how he feels having missed the first five matches of the season after a suspension cost him his place.

"It's been a funny situation at the back this season because Jon and Barry started when I was suspended," said Heeley.

"Then Barry got injured and Jon came back in, then got injured to let Barry back in who got injured again so we've all played alongside each other.

"Competition for places is strong but that's vital because it keeps you on your toes."

While it's a bitter pill for the likes of Woolley, Adam Webster and Darren Middleton to swallow, it's reassuring for Barton to know that for today's Dr Martens Premier Division clash at Tiverton Town, he has those options among the substitutes.