WORCESTER City have completed the signing of trialist Darren Middleton to boost manager John Barton's striking options.

But the news of Middleton's capture was tempered by the shock departure of winger Mike Wyatt, who has left the club due to work commitments.

Middleton, who has impressed during a run of pre-season friendlies, is expected to line up in City's opening Dr Martens League Premier Division game of the season at home to Weymouth on Saturday.

He played for Forest Green Rovers in the Nationwide Conference last season and also had a spell at Stafford Rangers.

As a youngster he was on the books of both Wolves and Aston Villa and during the summer Jan Molby gave him a trial at Kidderminster Harriers.

"Darren's young and he wants to do well and we're taking him on after he suffered the disappointment of not being taken on by Kidderminster," said Barton.

"He has got a lot of quality on the ball, is very enthusiastic and can get around the pitch.

"He's not an out and out goalscorer but he sees himself as playing up front although he can also play in midfield as he did against Boston.

"His signing increases competition for places and hopefully people will respond to the challenge."

Middleton's connections to the club stretch back to the early 1970s when his father, Harry, played at St George's Lane.

Barton admitted Wyatt's departure had not come at the best time but said it was in both the club's and player's interests that he left St George's Lane, having just had a promotion in his job as a graphic designer.

"He's done well for us but we both agreed that he couldn't give the club his total commitment due to work and it was best he moved on," he said.

Wyatt, who had Football League experience with both Bristol City and Bristol Rovers, joined Worcester in May last year from Gloucester City and scored four goals in 40 appearances.

Barton is also hopeful of further bolstering the front line by bringing veteran striker Phil Stant to the club and planned further talks with him later today.

Stant, who has already been on the scoresheet for City during pre-season, managed Lincoln City last season and during his playing career spent time at clubs such as Hereford, Fulham and Aldershot.