MANAGER John Barton is chasing two transfer targets ahead of Worcester City's home clash with Hastings United on Saturday.

The St George's Lane boss is confident of signing one of the duo before the season opener and hopes to wrap the other deal up next week.

Barton has run the rule over a number of players during pre-season including Michael Blackwood and Jamie Edwards, in a bid to find a left-winger to bring some width to his side. Edwards has since been released.

Meanwhile City have been handed a boost before Saturday's match with the news that Hastings will be without their most influential player.

Duncan McArthur, rated as one of the best young midfielders in the Dr Martens League, is suspended for the first four games of the season.

The newly-promoted club are also still looking to replace last season's main strike threat Paul Jones who was sold to Crawley.