JOHN Barton admits a shudder runs through him at the thought of Worcester City without John Snape.

The ex-Hereford United has been a brilliant signing for the St George's Lane club and City's boss is first to pay tribute to the midfield tyro.

Despite a niggling groin strain, Snape has battled on through the festive programme and has undoubtedly added much-needed cohesion and steel to the Worcester midfield this season.

He has missed just two games all season and helped steer City to their best start to a league campaign in more than 20 years when they went 10 games unbeaten.

"John's been fantastic and even though he seems to be carrying about three injuries he just keeps battling on," said Barton.

City's manager revealed the summer transfer target has more than vindicated his decision to bring in the former Halesowen Town and Bulls favourite.

"John Morris played a key role in getting him to the club and knowing now what he brings to a club I shudder to think that we might have missed out on him and that he could have been contributing to other clubs because he's been immense," he added.

Snape's qualities will be in demand, according to Barton, as Worcester head into the two most difficult months of the season.

"We've been setting targets throughout the season, the last one prior to the Chelmsford match was to come out at New Year roughly in the position we were in then, " he said.

"We've achieved that and the next target is to come through January and February because they are tough months that sorts out the teams that want to roll up their sleeves.

"It sorts the wheat from the chaff because if you get through January and February still in contention then anything can happen in the final two months.

"We can be proud of what we have done so far and can get satisfaction from that but having got this far people don't want to go backwards."

Barton is hoping to have his four long term injured quartet of Mark Shail, Stewart Hadley, David Foy and Marc Burrow back in action by the end of February with Shail the nearest to fitness.

But with the club's board matching Barton's ambitions with the captures of Adam Wilde and David Holmes there may yet be new faces as City continue their title challenge.