WORCESTER City's on-loan defender Allan Davies will not be allowed to play in Saturday's showdown with Dr Martens League Premier Division leaders Burton Albion.

Davies is now in his third month on loan to City from Burton, but their manager Nigel Clough has requested he does not figure in the St George's Lane clash.

City boss John Barton said: "We would have liked him to play but that was part of the deal. That was what they wanted when the third month was agreed."

But Barton says they will be able to cope with Davies' absence.

"The good thing recently is that we have been able to swap not only personnel around but also systems as well. Chris Greenman has done that role for us as has Paul Carty, so we have a few options."

Davies' loan spell is due to expire after the game at Folkestone on March 10, after which he will have to return to Burton as only a three- month loan is allowed.

The only way City could retain his services is to sign him permanently, and that is unlikely as he is still under contract at Burton and a fee would be required. His contract expires at the end of this season.