WORCESTER City face a difficult trip to Dr Martens Premier Division leaders Crawley Town tomorrow (3pm) with John Barton's side hit yet again by injury and suspension.

Manager Barton will be forced to reshape his midfield with Darren Bullock serving a one-match ban for picking up five bookings (three for City and two for Bury).

Jon Holloway, who played in a back three in Monday night's 1-0 win over Merthyr Tydfil, could fill Bullock's boots or Andy Ellis could be restored to the side.

Marc Burrow, who had an impressive game in midfield against the Martyrs, is set to retain his place and Barton may revert to a 4-5-1 formation, which he employed successfully during the first 45 minutes at Tamworth last week.

"We have to ensure we pick up points and that might entail tinkering with the line up," admitted City's assistant boss, Mick Tuohy.

"Against Tamworth when we got to half-time the system, with Phil Stant up on his own, was great because we were 2-0 up and they were not sure how to accommodate us but we did not have enough legs in midfield to sustain it.

"Crawley are a very strong, robust, uncompromising team and I thought last season that they were a very well organised side."

The two sides' fortunes have contrasted sharply since City celebrated winning the Dr Martens League Cup at the Broadfield Stadium seven months ago, winning 4-1 on aggregate.

Tuohy knows his side need to halt a run of poor displays, even though their victory over Merthyr lifted them back up to 10th place in the table.

"We have to stem the flow of poor performances and start trying to pick up points," he said.

"With it being an FA Trophy day and us not being involved the Crawley game is one we need to be taking something out of.

"We have seen how the league has fluctuated over the last six to eight weeks and we need to get into a decent position for the New Year and keep on picking up points.

"I know John Barton has been frustrated with trying to sign players but we need to keep ourselves in position where we can improve our squad."

Tuohy said morale remained good at the club but added they needed it where it mattered - on the pitch.

"Without a shadow of a doubt the spirit has been very good in training but you don't win games on the training pitch, it needs to be done on match day," he said.

City begin their quest for Worcestershire FA Senior Cup glory when they entertain holders Moor Green in the first round on Monday.

Worcester (from): McDonnell, Wyatt, Davies, Heeley, Weir, Holloway, Ellis, Carty, Shepherd, Stant, Goodman, Burrow, Hyde, Jukes.

Formcast: Crawley to prove too strong for City and win 2-0.