WORCESTER City winger Chekaine Steele says he has relished the challenges thrown at him in the physical National League North.

The skilful 20-year-old has played 33 games this season but been ruled out with a hamstring injury since the 2-2 home draw with Darlington a month ago.

Steele insists he has loved every minute so far despite their relegation battle which continues at play-off chasing Chorley on Good Friday (3pm) with City three points clear of third-from-bottom Gainsborough Trinity.

The three-goal midfielder admits his ambitions have “changed a lot” since dreams of making his Port Vale debut were dashed last term.

But he credits City’s coaches for allowing him to play with more “freedom” in the sixth tier.

“I have loved every minute so far,” Steele said. “I have had so many challenges to deal with you don’t come across being in the reserves so it’s been great.

“It is a very tough, physical level. I will assess how I have adapted at the end of the season.”

Birmingham-based Steele was released after three years at Vale but said he was optimistic of landing a deal at another club.

“I basically got told in mid-March I wasn’t getting another year so I started ringing up clubs who were near to home,” he said.

“(City’s former joint-manager) Matt Gardner said to come down to training and it just went from there.

“I was at Vale for three years but was more optimistic than disappointed because I wanted to be a part of something new.”

Steele said he enjoyed working under Carl Heeley who stepped down as boss after seven years in charge earlier this season.

“It was very sad to see Carl go as he and John Snape have been great. They have allowed me to play with freedom and express myself this season,” Steele said.

“But we all know we have a huge responsibility and priority to put this club before anything.

“The players have responded in the right way and we will keep digging deep and plugging away until the last kick of every game.”

But City will be eyeing Stalybridge Celtic's progress nervously after they beat high-flying Kidderminster Harriers 1-0 last night to move five points behind with one game in hand.