MARK Blount's impressive displays since his loan move to Worcester City from Burton Albion have caught the eye and more importantly added some defensive steel to John Barton's side.

For Blount though it is just good to be playing first team football again after a six-month spell out with a back and then knee injury.

"I was out for four months with a bad back and on my return did my knee but I've kept my fitness and have had no reactions and am enjoying playing first team football again," said Blount.

The 27-year-old, clicking his heels on Burton's bench, jumped at the chance to boost his fitness at St George's Lane and link up again with Barton who first signed him for the Derbyshire club from Gresley Rovers.

Injuries

"I knew John from when he signed me and with all the injuries at City he obviously wanted to strengthen his squad," he said.

"I've been on the bench at Burton and he brought me in and asked me if I wanted to come on a month's loan and I was delighted because I just want to play first team football."

Blount is in the last year of a contract at Burton and hopes to be playing in the Nationwide Conference last year but has not ruled out a permanent move to City in the future.

"I've not really discussed it. My contract with Burton is up this year and I don't know what Nigel Clough wants.

"He just said go out and get some games in because you are not going to get fit sitting on the bench and I'll just see how it goes at the end of the season with Burton.

"If my lucks not in there obviously if John keeps an eye on me and still wants me I'd be delighted.

"Burton are top at the moment and it's not over by a long chalk but if they do go up, obviously I want to play Conference football but we'll just have to see how things go."