DAN Nti admits the rise of long-time friend and former Worcester City team-mate George Williams with Barnsley has given him further fuel to make it as a professional footballer.

However, the winger insists he has yet to make a decision over his future and revealed City boss Carl Heeley has given him time to consider his options this summer.

The 23-year-old was a key figure for Worcester last season as he scored 11 times, made eight assists and played in all but one of their 53 matches.

But while Nti has been starring in Vanarama National League North, Williams has been producing the goods in League One, clinching the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy in April and winning the play-off title last month.

Before Williams signed for Barnsley in December 2014, the talented duo had gone on similar footballing paths since they first met aged seven.

They played together at Loughborough University and Worcester and were both striving to play at the highest level.

But it was Williams who made the step up to the Football League and he has already experienced two victories at Wembley.

Nti said he was “proud” of what Williams had achieved as the right-back prepares for life in the Championship next season and admitted he would love to emulate him one day.

“I have made it no secret that I want to push on, go full-time and hopefully play in the Football League some day,” said Nti, who currently works in credit control.

“It is still an ambition of mine but I understand there is work to be done and I am willing to do that.

“Seeing people around you doing well is only going to breed confidence in yourself and make you know you can do it because they were at the same level as you at one point.

“It is very encouraging to see people like George do so well and I am proud of him because he works so hard.

“It has not even been two years (since he left City) and he has achieved two wins at Wembley, so what he’s done only pushes anyone at our level as it shows it can be done.”

Having just completed his third season with Worcester, Nti said he was currently enjoying some time away from the game.

Nti has recently returned from Thailand and will now set off to Miami for another holiday before making his intentions for next season clear to Heeley.

“I haven’t decided on anything because I am just looking forward to my holidays,” he said.

“I have just come back from Thailand and then I’m off again to Miami, so I will probably start thinking about it when I come back.

“I have spoken to Carl already and he just wants us to have a rest because he is also on holiday too.

“It is not like he is on the phone to us all day everyday as he needs a rest as well, so I am looking to get back to him in mid-June or so.”