VETERAN striker Lee Hughes feels he can play for the “next couple of years” despite closing in on his 41st birthday.

Hughes will begin his coaching career this summer as joint-manager of Worcester City alongside John Snape.

But the former West Bromwich Albion and Coventry City frontman believes he can also offer a lot on the pitch.

The 40-year-old scored 33 goals in 57 appearances in one-and-a-half seasons for Worcester before joining AFC Telford United in February.

After his departure City struggled to find the net as they suffered relegation from National League North while Hughes bagged four more goals in 12 games for the Bucks.

“Telford wanted me to sign again but this opportunity came along at City and I thought I am not going to play forever,” he said.

“But I still think I am fit enough to play for the next couple of years with my goal-scoring record at the moment.

“And I think John and I will work well together.”

Although this is his first job in management Hughes reckons his wealth of experience in the game will serve him well when talking tactics with players.

The striker also insisted he had learned a lot from the managers he had worked under during his playing career which spans more than 20 years.

“I was a senior figure in the dressing room so people looked up to me and listened to my advice so hopefully I can take that into the management role and get the best out of people,” Hughes said.

“I have worked under a lot of managers and picked a few brains to see where I think they have gone right and I will use it to the best of my abilities.”

Hughes has played for a long list of managers including Brian Little, Gordon Strachan and Sven-Goran Eriksson.

The ex-Kidderminster Harriers ace said he would benefit from the support of Snape who took temporary charge of Worcester last season.

But Hughes admitted his previous bosses were just “a phone call away” to helping him.

“I got on with every manager I played for and they will be there if I need any help,” he said.

“You are always learning. Even as a player I am learning every day and just starting out as a manager you take advice from people who have been there and done it. I think it will help me out a lot.”