TROY Wood has set his sights on forcing his way into the first team at Worcester City next season.

The 19-year-old striker has pledged his immediate future to the St George's Lane club by signing a one-year deal.

Wood spent most of last season on the fringes of the side despite scoring one of his two goals while providing cover for injuries to Adam Webster and Mark Danks at the start of the campaign.

However, the return of Danks in September broke up his promising early-season strike partnership with Craig Wilding and he found himself feeding off scraps.

Webster's comeback in December further limited the teenager's chances and he ended up on loan at Gloucester City and, later, St George's Lane tenants Evesham United.

But the pacy forward showed what he was capable of by scoring five goals in his brief stint with the Robins and returned to make several substitute appearances in City's end-of-season play-off push.

Manager Andy Preece thought Wood's fitness let him down last season but showed his faith in the player's ability by handing him the 12-month contract.

Wood said: "I had a decision to make on what I wanted to do and, me being a Worcester lad, I wanted to stay at Worcester and to prove my worth to the club this season.

"The aim is to get a regular place in the team and to help Worcester City.

"I have got to work for it because there are three good strikers at the club.

"Mark Danks is a great player, Craig Wilding is a great player and Adam Webster is a proven goalscorer.

"I have got to come through and show the potential."

Wood is currently on holiday but is still working hard so he is fit and raring to go when the players return for pre-season training on Friday.

He added: "I am still going for runs. Worcester City gave me a regime before I went away so hopefully I will come back fighting fit.

"I want to play more than I did last season and help Worcester City in what they want to do."

The deadline for fans to buy season tickets for the new Blue Square North campaign at last year's prices, a saving of £5, is on Sunday.