Peter Jackson’s push to be named City boss has the backing of the players, according to Jon Worthington.

The interim boss remains on tenterhooks while he waits for the club to make their full-time choice.

Jackson has overseen the last six weeks but saw his chances hit by Saturday’s 3-0 home slump against Torquay. Dagenham’s John Still is believed to be his main rival for the permanent post, with John Hughes also in the mix.

But midfield battler Worthington claims the squad are all fighting Jackson’s corner.

He said: “It’s a difficult situation because things are still up in the air. I understand what the chairmen are doing but I’m sure they will make some kind of decision soon.

“I get the feeling from speaking to the lads that everyone is fully behind the gaffer, without a doubt.

“We all hope he gets the job and then we can sort our futures out and look forward to next season.”

City have lost four of their eight games under Jackson – but all four opponents, Gill-ingham, Shrewsbury, Steven-age and Torquay, are in play-off positions.

Worthington added: “They are all tough games against teams flying at the time, so you have to take that into consideration.

“The other performances have been all right and we played some good stuff at Macclesfield.

“The gaffer has been in a difficult position because everyone expects big things straight away.

“But you’re kidding yourself if you think the team’s suddenly going to win seven or eight games on the bounce. Football doesn’t work like that and it takes time to get things right.

“The gaffer has his own ideas and it does take a while for people to understand.”

Barnet, left reeling yesterday by Martin Allen’s shock switch to Notts County, have again cut the gap between 17th-placed City and the second drop spot to six points.

Worthington is targeting the 50-point mark to ensure survival.

He said: “One more win will see us safe but it’s not just about that. We’ve got to strive to finish as high as possible and get into a more respectable position.”

Meanwhile, City will look at two trialist defenders in this afternoon’s reserve game at Port Vale.

Huddersfield’s Leigh Franks and Phil Shead, recently released by Middlesbrough, are included in a young squad. Franks played five games for Oxford earlier in the season.

But there is no Christian Nanetti, who is thought to have turned down the offer of a longer trial.

CITY RES (from): Elliott, Cheetham, Horne, Lawless, Rowe, Flett, Osborne, Chilaka, Stephenson, Mitchell, Green, Shead, Franks, Robinson, Forsyth.