NATHAN Jukes is hoping to resurrect his Football Lea-gue prospects with his home-town club Worcester City.

The 19-year-old midfielder spent over four years with First Division Portsmouth before leaving them in September.

Now, after trials at other clubs, he has been given a chance to establish himself in the first team at Worcester by manager Graham Allner -- but still wants to get back into the league.

Jukes, whose father Graham is a former secretary of the St George's Lane club, is a product of the prolific Comer Park junior club, as was his former Portsmouth team-mate Andy Awford.

After a year at Fratton Park on schoolboy terms and two years on a Youth Traning Scheme, he had just started his second year as a professional when manager Alan Ball decided he was surplus to requirements.

"They had a bit of a change and he was looking for experienced players straight away rather than sticking with the youngsters, and got rid of quite a few of us.

"They said I could stay there and fight for it, but I thought I needed to get away and look for something else."

A possible move to Lincoln City came to nothing, although Shrewsbury Town have shown an interest and have invited him back there to pre-season training.

But when the call came from Allner, he saw an opportunity to put himself in the shop window -- and has put in some useful performances since breaking into the first team.

Jukes admitted: "It is a different game of football completely to what I have been used to. Everything is quite fast and you don't get time to put a foot on the ball.

"But I am gradually getting there, and hopefully with a few more chances I can show what I can do.

"I am still looking around but because Graham has given me a chance I am willing to help him. He is helping me as much as I am helping him."

City entertain Gresley Rovers in the Dr Martens League Premier Division on Saturday, and then travel to Bath City next Tuesday.

Wednesday, March 10, 1999.