JOHN Barton is hoping to fight off late competition from Bath City and Chippenham Town to sign defender Kevin Halliday.

Worcester City's manager will speak to the teenage trialist after tonight's friendly at Bishop's Cleeve (7.45).

If Halliday puts pen to paper he will be given an early chance to stake a claim for City's left back slot with regular full back Paul Carty out of next Saturday's league opener against Havant and Waterlooville as he is getting married.

"Kevin's got a nice left foot which gives us balance and he would also increase competition for places," said Barton.

"Paul Carty is still playing well and is going to take some dislodging but having said that Kevin, if he signs, will have the shirt for the start of the season and will call the shots as a result."

Barton cautioned the former Swindon Town trainee that adapting to the Dr Martens Premier Division could be difficult but urged him to stick at it.

"I've seen plenty of players come out of the Football League with 100 appearances to their name still struggle with the rigours of non league but if Kevin sticks at it and shows improvement who knows how far he could go?" he added.

Halliday is among a strong squad for tonight's trip to Hellenic League outfit Bishop's Cleeve for their penultimate pre-season friendly but Adam Wilde and Adam Webster, who has a slight strain, are rested.