WITH Worcester City now very close to securing their Dr Martens League Premier Division safety, thoughts will soon be starting to edge towards next season.

And there is little doubt that manager John Barton faces some tough decisions over the next few weeks as he looks to build a squad to make a title challenge.

City thought they had the squad to be in contention at the start of the season, but reality proved otherwise as they slum-ped to the bottom of the table.

It was only after Graham Allner's departure that the players he brought to the club began to perform under Barton's management.

Despite those improved performances, Barton will need to bring in fresh faces.

And he is hampered in doing so by the fact that most of the players are tied up on contracts until the end of next season or beyond, and it is an open secret that the club is running well over budget.

Barton may have to do some delicate negotiation and perhaps persuade some players to come off their contracts to give himself some room for manoeuvre.

Two players are under contract until the end of the 2001-02 season -- striker Mark Owen and midfielder Andy Ellis.

Both are almost certain to figure in Barton's plans next season. Owen's prolific goalscoring has made him a target for bigger clubs and Ellis, providing he makes a full recovery from his broken leg, has started to show why he was such a valued Conference player in his Woking days.

The only area of the side which does not need strengthening is the centre of defence. Martin Weir and Mark Tucker have possibly been the most important figures in City's revival, and Barton has said that Chris Greenman, who has not played since November because of a knee injury, remains part of his plans.

Left-back has been a problem for City for some time now. They have no specialist in that area although the likes of Kevin Willetts and Nathan Jukes have filled in manfully.

In goal Danny Watson has surpassed expectations since displacing Darren Steadman, but he needs experienced competition to keep him on his toes.

City's wing play has flattered to deceive this season and strengthening is needed in that area, while more creativity in midfield is also a priority.

Most of all, up front needs sorting out. With Sam Bowen likely to be leaving, Owen needs at least one and preferably two specialist strikers to support him. Time will tell if on-loan pair Anton Thomas and Richard Burgess can impress sufficiently to attract permanent deals.