MANAGER John Barton aims to unleash John Snape on Bath City at St George's Lane tomorrow (3pm).

The influential Worcester City midfielder made his comeback in the reserves last week following a spell on the sidelines after groin surgery.

Barton believes Snape's return would be a massive boost to a side short on confidence after winning just once in seven games during a miserable run of results in the Dr Martens Premier Division.

"We are hopeful that John can play some part," said Barton. "If he does play he's not going to be at his best, but his mere presence will be a boost."

Snape proved an inspirational signing from Hereford United last summer and played in almost every game until he was the victim of a bad tackle by former Leicester City captain Steve Walsh in the January victory at Tamworth.

Since that game without the 33-year-old in the side, Worcester have won just three times in 12 league matches.

City's preparations for tomorrow's clash have been hindered by the suspension of David Foy and Dan Jones.

Foy starts a three-match ban for his red card at Cambridge City, while Jones is sidelined for one match, also for a sending off at Cambridge.

Allan Davies, Pat Lyons and David Holmes are still out injured leaving Barton with few options to shake up his side that slumped to a 3-2 defeat at Ilkeston Town last week. "We will probably be down to 11 or 12 that are fit and will shovel things around as best we can," he said.

Worcester have failed to beat Bath for more than a decade, but Barton was taking a positive outlook on that statistic.

"It's got to end sometime and tomorrow is as an opportunity as any," he said.

"They've improved since they came to us last season needing a win to stay up, but there is still a lot to play for.

"First and foremost, the players have something to prove to us after last week and if ever a response was needed this is it."

While Barton's team may have lost out on the championship, Worcester City Ladies team will entertain Bredon Ladies at St George's Lane on Sunday (2pm kick-off) in their final league game of the season.

Three points for a win will give them the inaugural Women's County League title.