BOSS Carl Heeley has turned to his former Worcester City teammate Mark Owen to help put the smile back on Jamie Smith’s face.

The promising left-sided player has dropped five divisions to play under Owen who is joint-manager at Droitwich Spa.

The surprise switch to the Midland Football League Division Two outfit did not look possible after Smith earned a new deal in the summer.

Heeley said he was hopeful the 19-year-old, who made 13 appearances last term, would be “knocking on the door” for a regular starting jersey in Vanarama National League North.

But Smith failed to impress in pre-season, leading Heeley to recruit former Notts County left-back Cieron Keane on the eve of the new campaign and look at finding the homegrown ace another club.

“We have got Tyler Weir and Cieron as well, so I saw Jamie as being down the pecking order,” said Heeley, who has retained Smith’s registration for this season.

“I wanted Jamie to be knocking on the door this season, but he had not really done what I expected in pre-season, so that’s the reason (for the move to Droitwich).

Owen is one of City's leading all-time goal-scorers with 124 and is head of the club's academy which Smith came through.

He is also working alongside Wayne Oliver at Droitwich and Heeley believes the link presented a chance for Smith, who can also play on the left wing, to regain his confidence.

“He knows Mark from the academy and he just wanted to go and play with somebody he knew and trusted who could put the smile back on his face,” said Heeley, who used to play with Owen at City.

“We have retained Jamie’s registration, but it is about him getting minutes.

“There is no benefit to just drag him all around the country not being involved and there are one or two other players who might have to go out as well.

“But we see it as part of his development.”