IF Emeka Nwadike's enthusiasm rubs off on Worcester City next season then perhaps promotion will finally be a reality for their long-suffering fans.

Andy Preece's first summer signing hardly needed asking twice when the City player-boss offered him the chance to join their play-off push.

Nwadike has been on the books at the likes of Wolver-hampton Wanderers and Shrewsbury Town but still rates the St George's Lane outfit as "a big club".

His ambition to play at the very pinnacle of non-league football can be achieved with City, according to the 28-year-old who feels he is approaching his peak on the pitch.

Certainly, Preece admits Worcester have been crying out for a physical presence in the centre of the park - somenone who can break up play and win aerial battles.

And Nwadike, who has joined from Blue Square North rivals Alfreton where he swept the board at last season's player-of-the-year awards, seems to fit the bill.

He said: "I've been at Alfreton for four years but there's been a lot of changes and sometimes you have got to move on and forwards.

"I'm looking to achieve promotion to the Conference. Worcester were close last season and not far away from the play-offs.

"I know it will be a strong league with some of the clubs who have come down but, with the way things are shaping up here, the least we should aim for is the play-offs.

"With the likes of Boston, Tamworth, Hinckley and Kettering, it should be fiercely competitive but hopefully there will be a bit more quality too."

Alfreton fans held the 6ft 2ins London-born player in high esteem and Nwadike is likely to carve out a reputation at the Lane pretty quickly. But he admits there is room for improvement in his game.

He declared: "I like to play with a lot of energy and a lot of heart. I enjoy winning the ball, getting around the pitch, winning headers and passing the ball. I just enjoy winning games.

"I'd like to score more goals. I got four last season but will be looking for closer to double figures at Worcester.

"I've played against the majority of Worcester's players over the last couple of years. I think I will settle in quite quickly as they are a good set of lads here."

Derby-based Nwadike was understandably upset when he was released from the professional game after a year-and-a-half and four games for Football League outfit Shrewsbury.

But he was not about to sulk and secured a good job off the pitch as well as writing a fine part-time football CV with Grantham Town, King's Lynn, Ilkeston Town and Alfreton.

He added: "I was a schoolboy in the youth team and a young professional at Wolves before signing a professional contract at Shrewsbury.

"I studied while I was playing and did a degree in IT. I now work for a mobile phone company, importing and exporting mobiles.

"It still wasn't nice leaving the full-time game though. You want to stay there for as long as you can.

"I enjoyed my time at Shrewsbury and playing in the Football League. That's something no-one can take away from me. But there was a change of manager and he had his own ideas."