Frustration for Meredith as he is left on sidelines (From Worcester News)

Frustration for Meredith as he is left on sidelines

9:00am Tuesday 10th November 2009 in

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JAKE Meredith has vowed to do all he can to prove he has what it takes to be a success at Worcester City.

The goalkeeper has endured a frustrating start to his career at St George’s Lane having not played a competitive match since signing for the club in the summer.

He was lined-up to be Danny McDonnell’s replacement between the posts but suffered a shoulder injury — ironically similar to the problem sustained by his predecessor — during the pre-season fixture against Kiddermin-ster Harriers.

Richard Mace was drafted in for the start of the season but was deemed out of his depth after three games and manager Richard Dry-den opted to take a punt on Ben Hinchliffe.

With a commute from Preston just to reach Worcester, Hinchliffe’s move was only ever seen as a stop-gap but his form, coupled with Meredith’s slower-than-expected return to fitness, has seen him keep the number one jersey.

Hinchliffe has since been an ever-present in the City team and, despite the side’s position in the league, has grown in confidence.

Meredith, meanwhile, has been forced to watch from the sidelines but the former Team Bath keeper is not about to give up.

He said: “There’s no doubt I am a confident lad and I think I am a good keeper, I just need to prove myself to the manager, players and the fans.

“Just sitting on the bench and seeing the goals go in I feel for the lads but in my head and my heart it’s killing me because I just want to get on the pitch.

“It’s massively frustrating, not least because I am not playing but because I keep getting injured.

“I did my rotator cuff in my shoulder and as I was coming back from that injury I did my ankle and I was battling with my fitness. I am fine now, I just need to get match-fit and I need some games.

“I have been talking to the manager and he is desperate for me to get games. I was meant to be playing in a few reserve matches but they have been called off for some reason.”

Meredith is expected to play in tonight’s reserve match at Stafford Rangers as he continues to strive to prove he is the player Dryden signed.

He said: “I am just going to keep getting fit and show that I am a good keeper and see if I can restore the faith back in the manager.

“I get on really well with Ben, he’s a good keeper, I haven’t got any problems with him. He’s doing well and it’s hard to replace someone who’s not done anything wrong.”