WORCESTER City coach Mick Tuohy is expecting striker Mark Owen to turn on the tricks next season.

Tuohy believes the prolific forward needs to adapt his game to give it an unpredictable edge to bamboozle defenders next season.

John Barton's right-hand man, also aims to bulk up the burly 22-year-old to make him more of a handful for opposition defences.

"In the first half of the season Owen was on everybody's shopping list and if we hadn't had his goals in the final two thirds of the season we would have struggled," said Tuohy.

"He has got tremendous ability and it is a question of taking his game to the next stage.

"The last couple of seasons he has been an unknown quantity but for him to take that next step he needs to adapt his game and learn more tricks.

"He also needs to get physically stronger so defenders know they have been in an encounter with him.

"Next season will be a big learning curve for him because he's been top scorer for the last couple of seasons but people now know his type of game.

"It's also a mental attitude and about him pitting his wits against other people."

Tuohy is convinced Owen can play at a higher level.

"Burton were prepared to pay £30,000 for him because they saw him as taking them into the Conference.

"From our point of view, the fact we have retained his services is a big part of the future."

He also revealed the club was aiming to bring in another forward to partner Owen and Mark Shepherd.

"One of the problems is that he has not had a strike partner.

"Micky Cotter had a spell but unfortunately injuries over took him, which was a shame because he was a perfect foil.

"It doesn't take a genius to work out we are looking for someone to complement Mark Owen and Mark Shepherd but they are few and far between and the ones that are available are not cheap."