MANAGER Carl Heeley is confident he can make a success of Ellis Deeney at Worcester City.

The former Aston Villa academy left-back has signed for the Blue Square Bet North club and could make his debut in today’s match at Halifax Town (3pm).

Deeney is new to non-league, having had brief spells at Kettering and Hinckley after being released by the Premier League outfit.

But Heeley has kept tabs on the 20-year-old’s career and believes he can follow in the successful footsteps of striker Danny Glover, winger Simon Richman and centre-half Jacob Rowe.

All three arrived at City after failing to make the grade in the professional ranks and the latter, formerly at Birmingham City, has started 15 games this season and is proving his worth to the team.

Glover, who joined Nuneaton in the summer, netted 20 goals last season, while Richman, now at Altrincham, developed into a useful midfielder and started 26 matches last term.

The Worcester boss is now looking to take 20-year-old Deeney under his wing as he seeks a solution to City’s recent defensive frailties.

Heeley, whose side have leaked six goals in their first two away matches of 2012, said: “He’s in the transition period from coming out of the professional game into part-time football.

“We have a decent track record with those players and I don’t see it being any different with Ellis.

“He’s looking to go back into the full-time game but he’s going to play for us and see where it goes from there.”