TROY Wood is intent on using his loan spell at Evesham United to force his way back into the Worcester City team.

The speedy forward has joined the Robins for a month after falling out of favour at his new club’s St George’s Lane landlords.

Wood has made just three starts for City this season, only one of which was in the league, and has appeared as a substitute on 10 occasions.

He didn’t even make the main 16 for the visit of Welling on November 1 and was an un-used replacement for the 2-1 victory at Hampton and Richmond.

Evesham boss Paul West has long been an admirer of the player, having borrowed him before, and has tried to sign him permanently in the past.

A move to use Wood in their FA Cup match at Torquay fell through because the former City academy graduate played the last 19 minutes as a sub against Tamworth in September.

However, he was in the United squad for Saturday’s 1-0 British Gas Business Premier Division win at Rugby Town and replaced an injured Gary Hay in the first-half.

Wood said: “Evesham is just down the road and they play at Worcester’s ground so it makes it easy for me. I have done well there before so it’s a good move for me.

“The City squad is doing quite well, apart from the re-sult on Saturday, they have got some good players and I am not making the first 11 so I need to be playing some football.

“The lads that are playing are good players so I understand why I am not starting.

“As a striker or winger I am frustrated that I’m not scoring as much as I would like. If I get a good run of games, hopefully that will change.

“Evesham have had a good run and they did well in the FA Cup and everybody is one a high. I will be starting on Saturday against Corby.

“That’s going to be a tough game for us but I am looking to get a few goals.”

Wood has been told he still has a part to play in Worcester’s Blue Square South campaign, which hit the buffers at Thurrock on Saturday, and wants to prove himself in the Premier Division.

He said: “I am comfortable when playing in Worcester’s games so dropping down a level is not a problem.

“Evesham’s league is not really that much of a difference.

“They have still got good players but they punish you more in Blue Square South if you make a mistake.

“Richard Dryden has always said I am in his plans and he’s a great bloke and I love to play for him week in, week out.

“I hope I can get back in the squad. I need to be pushing in the first team, it’s always been my aim, I just want to make my place regular.”

Meanwhile, former City player Ernie Ward has died at the age of 71.

The left winger was part of the 1967/68 Southern League Division One title-winning team.

He left to join Rugby after making 109 appearances and scoring 21 goals.