WORCESTER City goalkeeper Danny McDonnell has committed himself to the club until 2006.

McDonnell, rated as the best 'keeper in the Dr Martens League by City manager John Barton, has agreed a two-year extension to his existing contract.

Barton is delighted by the decision, saying: "Danny has enjoyed his time at the club. He wanted to extend his contract and we were happy to do so.

"He is quite simply the best in this league."

McDonnell is now in his fourth season with City, having joined them from Halesowen Town in May 2000.

Meanwhile, record signing Jai Stanley is poised to return to City's squad for tomorrow's rearranged Dr Martens Premier Division home clash with Welling United (3pm).

The former Moor Green midfielder, who has been ruled out for almost two months after injuring a knee in only his second game for the club, has responded well in training and is expected to be on the substitutes' bench.

Young defender Shabir Khan has recovered from the ankle injury sustained on his debut in the Dr Martens Cup defeat against Moor Green and is also added to the City squad.

Central defender Barry Woolley will again be missing with a thigh injury, which means Jon Holloway will again partner skipper Carl Heeley at the back.

City could go third if results go their way tomorrow, and Barton has challenged his players to repeat last week's display which saw them beat high-flying Nuneaton Borough 4-0.

He said: "There is not too much reason to change the side. The players have earned an unchanged line-up, and the gauntlet is down to them to reproduce that display and get back-to-back performances."

But he believes mid-table Welling will provide a tricky test, adding: "They are a good footballing side and have shown progress under manager Paul Parker. There are threats in every team and we won't take them lightly."

City officials are confident that with temperatures going up, tomorrow's game will go ahead.