EXCITED Worcester City boss Carl Heeley believes “raw” talent Chekaine Steele can become a “force to be reckoned with” in Vanarama National League North.

The 18-year-old winger has featured heavily in Heeley’s plans so far this season and scored the last goal in City’s 3-0 triumph at Bradford Park Avenue on Saturday.

Worcester’s inexperienced attackers, including the former Port Vale youngster, have faced criticism from Heeley due to the lack of “quality” service into the penalty area.

However, City’s boss said he had been impressed with Steele’s “energy”, “work-rate” and ability to “get supporters on their feet”.

“We have got quite young players in the wide areas,” said Heeley, who has also played Jordan Murphy, 20, Ebby Nelson-Addy, 23, Nathan Olukanmi, 23, Elijah Chilewka, 18, and Cieron Keane, 20, on the wing this season.

“If you take Chekaine as an example, you can clearly see his final ball is where he needs improvement.

“But that energy, work-rate and willingness to listen and try to improve warrants an opportunity.

“He is one of those players who gets the supporters on their feet and gets them excited.

“He gets me excited as I don’t know what he is going to do.

“I love the kid to bits and the fact I keep playing him every week shows I think he has got something.”

Steele joined City in the summer after being released by League One side Port Vale and Heeley is confident he can go from strength to strength at the Blue and Whites.

“He is very raw and there are some challenges with Chekaine but he is a very strong boy, quick and he wants to improve,” said Heeley, whose side travel to Brackley Town on Tuesday (7.45pm).

“It’s just about playing men’s football each week and just having the belief he can adapt and become a force to be reckoned with.”

Heeley also believes Steele, who has previously had loan spells at Stafford Rangers and Witton Albion, can regularly be among the goals after getting off the mark with a free header against bottom side Avenue.

“I am delighted for Chekaine as he has put himself in a number of positions over the last few weeks where he perhaps should have scored,” he added.

“Perhaps he needed that little bit of belief that he could get goals and hopefully that (goal on Saturday) is going to kick him on.”