WORCESTER City go into tomorrow's home Welling United clash (3pm) with manager John Barton insisting they are down but not out after losing ground on leaders Tamworth in the Boxing Day games.

The St George's Lane club trail Darren Gee's side by six points in the Dr Martens Premier Division with the Lambs having a game in hand, after City crashed 2-1 at Newport County.

"People talk about Tamworth because they are in pole position but we can't do anything about that but we can control what happens in our games," said Barton.

"We've lost only our third game of the season so we are down but we are not out.

"It was disappointing to lose to Newport but the performance was not good enough to win the game.

"Our players were not the same that we've seen in recent weeks and didn't compete as well.

"Normally one of our strengths is getting tight to opponents but we didn't do that or have that degree of anticipation that enables us to pick up second balls.

"The conditions were difficult and they adapted a bit better."

Barton, who boosted his squad over Christmas with the loan signing of Mark Blount from Burton Albion, faces an anxious wait on the fitness of Jon Holloway who missed yesterday's match through illness.

Also under scrutiny will be Pat Lyons (dead leg) and John Snape, who has been nursing a groin strain, played the 90 minutes in the defeat at Newport in heavy conditions.

Holloway's return would give Barton the option of resting the ex-Hereford United midfielder.

"Jon's been ill over Christmas and in view of the bug he's had we wanted him to keep away but hopefully he might be back for Welling," said Barton.

Barton believes Blount's addition to the squad will give him a degree of flexibility.

"We have not got the deepest of squads, and no sign of the immediate return of our long term injuries, so Mark will help us through a tough period and hopefully get through the other side," said Barton.

"He had a super time with us last year and hopefully he can have the same effect this year."

FORMCAST: City to win 2-0.