WORCESTER City manager John Barton is setting his side a minimum target of 50 points for Dr Martens League Premier Division safety.

City, who entertain Blakenall in the Dr Martens Cup third round tonight (7.45), moved up to 15th in the table with a 3-0 win at Merthyr Tydfil on Saturday.

They have now won nine out of their last 11 games -- but Barton wants their fine form to continue as long as possible.

He said: "As much as we think we have moved up the table, it is great, but you don't have to have a high level of intelligence to recognise the fact that it is very close.

"There is a little bit of a gap emerging between the bottom three sides and ourselves, and we now have a six-point cushion over Crawley.

"But if teams win their games in hand we would drop a couple of places again, although I would sooner have the points in the bag.

"We have to keep going. On past records we have to be aiming for 50 points maximum. There are 18 games to go and you are looking to win seven or eight of those."

City are expected to change the line-up around tonight, with winger Keith Knight (knee) and midfielder Ian Cottrill (thigh) both ruled out through injuries sustained on Saturday. Jon Purdie is also doubtful with a hamstring problem.

Worcester striker Sam Bowen and midfielders John Deakin and Nathan Jukes are expected to return, while defender Steve Frost and striker Matt Upton step up from the reserve and youth teams respectively to sit on the bench.

Blakenall, managed by former Evesham United bosses Paul Knox and Mick Folland, could include three former City players in defender Dave Richards, winger Steve Hillman and striker John Muir.