AN early exit from the FA Cup might have left Worcester City kicking their heels but Michael Taylor has been in the thick of the action.

With his team-mates basking in the autumn sun instead of competing on third qualifying round day, the rookie striker was banging league goals in for Stourport Swifts in Somerset.

Taylor is on loan at the Walshes Meadow club and he netted a double in their Evo-Stik Southern League Division One South and West 4-4 draw at Taunton Town last Saturday.

The 23-year-old was signed in the summer on the back of his raw talent which yielded 41 goals for Earlswood Town in their promotion-winning season from Midland Combination Division One, five rungs below Worcester on the non-league ladder.

But he was never likely to force his way into Carl Heeley’s team too quickly with Mike Symons, Luke Corbett, Danny Carey-Bertram and now Lee Smith in the ranks.

Nor was he ever meant to, with Heeley seeing him as more of a rough diamond he could work with and polish into the finished article.

Despite having scored the equaliser as a substitute in August’s 1-1 Blue Square Bet North draw against Nuneaton, Taylor has been farmed out to get the match practice City cannot offer him.

Following Saturday’s brace, it appears to be having the desired effect as he bids to return to the Lane a better player.

Taylor, who was also due to play in Swifts’ home match against Sholing last night, said: “It’s going well and I am getting back to full fitness. It’s a good experience. I haven’t played many games this season so I need to get a few 90 minutes in.

“Worcester have a great team and a lot of experience and quality so it’s about biding my time.

“Some of the players have been around the leagues for a long time but I have just come in so I am not down-hearted.

“It’s just about getting as fit as I can and then fighting for my place.

“I had to change my game because you get a lot of time on the ball at Earlswood.

“It’s a lot more technical (at City’s level) and you have to use your brain a lot but I am really enjoying it.

“I think I have adjusted well, especially with Matt Gardiner (assistant boss) and Carl who are always giving me tips to improve my game.”

Taylor is not the only one who has been shipped out to Swifts with Kyonn Evans, highly rated at St George’s Lane but well down the pecking order, and fellow midfielder Josh Emery featuring for Rod Brown’s side.

Shabir Khan, on the comeback trail after a year out with a knee injury, is another but, following a three-match ban, the seemingly luckless left-back is now nursing a twisted ankle.

Taylor, though, is just happy to be making progress in his fledgling career.

He added: “I would like to be a permanent fixture, not necessarily in the starting 11 but certainly in the Worcester squad and make an impact.

“If I can continue my development and get a few more goals, I will be happy.”