CARL Heeley believes Daniel Nti has done the right thing for his career by staying at Worcester City.

Last season’s top-scorer gave the Aggborough outfit a huge lift ahead of Saturday’s curtain-raiser with Stalybridge Celtic by agreeing a new one-year deal.

It ended speculation about the 21-year-old’s future, which rumbled on throughout pre-season with Wrexham courting the striker.

Now Heeley wants Nti to prove he has what it takes to fulfil his dream of playing professional football by firing City to success in Vanarama Conference North.

He said: “Taking off the manager, player and Worcester City hat, I think what Daniel’s done is the right thing for him.

“He’s had one season in Conference North and done really well. You can step up too soon and start not playing regularly, which sometimes knocks you backwards.

“He knows, as long as he’s doing well, he’ll play football here and he’s got nothing to prove on that score.

“Rather than going on trial everywhere, if he’s banging goals in, somebody will sign him and he’ll go. It’s good to have him on board.”

Nti’s signature means City, who last week released Ethan Moore, have three proven strikers with Mike Symons and Nick Wright having also arrived this summer, the latter scoring twice in the 2-2 draw with Stalybridge.

The Blue and Whites, who head to Oxford City tomorrow (7.45pm), also snapped up former Stevenage forward Daniel Udoh on the eve of the campaign and have youngsters James Lemon and Ben Maund to call on as well.

While it has been a frenetic period for the Worcester boss, he is convinced he has secured the firepower to make the Blue and Whites a threat.

He said: “We scored goals and created lots of chances against Stalybridge. At times, we could be a bit more clinical but when you’ve got pedigrees like Nick, Daniel and Mike I’d be surprised if we don’t score goals.”

Ebby Nelson-Addy has also returned after failing to agree a deal at Conference side Woking, where he had been on trial.

The midfielder, who is able to share lifts with Nti from their Milton Keynes base, is joined in the squad by forward Aaron Williams.

Heeley added: “I kept in touch with Ebby throughout pre-season. He’s got to be playing football, it’s no good going and not getting on the pitch.

“Aaron is registered but might need to go out and get some games because he’s a young lad and needs to play.”

Former trialist Phil Trainer has joined rivals Tamworth.