HIGH-profile Worcester City signing Lee Hughes is relishing the chance to upset Stockport County fans once again.

The 39-year-old striker scored on his Coventry City debut at Edgeley Park in 2001 following his £5million move from West Bromwich Albion, where he also enjoyed success in front of goal against County.

Hughes expects to stay at Worcester for the rest of the season after the former Kidderminster Harriers goal machine turned down an offer from Nuneaton Town and was tempted back to Aggborough for a third time following a spell at Ilkeston.

Joint managers Carl Heeley and Matt Gardiner are set to field Hughes from the start at National League North rivals Stockport today (3pm) as they bid to reverse a slide to second from bottom in the table watched by a 3,000-plus crowd.

In Hughes, who spent last season at Forest Green Rovers and Harriers, they could have a lucky charm in their hunt for a much-needed second league win of the season following four defeats.

He said: “It will be my second debut up at Stockport as I scored in my first game for Coventry there. I scored quite a few against them for West Brom too so Stockport is one of my favourite places to play at!

“It’s a shame for a club like Stockport to be at this level now. But it would be nice to get off to a flying start with Worcester. Especially when the crowd are getting on to me, I do like to silence them with a few goals.

“Hopefully, I can give Worcester a bit more experience and help them climb up the table. I don’t want to be fighting a relegation battle but I know they have some quality players and I feel they are in a false position.

“It’s still early days in the season and hopefully I can help change their fortunes. Aggborough is like a second home to me and I enjoy it there.

“I have to look after myself at my age but, touch wood, I’ve not had many injuries and I’ve got a good pre-season under my belt.”

Hughes admitted the travelling was not ideal but he netted three goals in five games for Derbyshire side Ilkeston in the Northern Premier League Premier Division despite being sent off for two yellow cards on his debut.

He continued: “I did pre-season at Port Vale and had a couple of offers. Tranmere offered me something but I turned them down as it was too far away and I’ve got a young family. Torquay were also interested but again they were too far.

“I was with Gavin Strachan (Ilkeston manager) at Coventry and he asked me to go there to play some matches. He said I was more than welcome to sign but he didn’t mind if something came up for me closer to home.

“I was enjoying it there but the travelling was a bit too much. Nuneaton offered me something the other week but it didn’t feel right.

“Then Carl (Heeley) phoned me up and asked if I was interested in joining Worcester. It’s perfect for me as I’m based around Halesowen/Hagley.

“I know quite a bit about the division after speaking to Carl and know a few players, like Ashley Vincent and Clayton McDonald from my time at Port Vale.”