28/6/06 - Preece pins faith on his strike-force

The striker has agreed a one-year deal at St George's Lane and Preece is adamant he will bolster a strike force already boasting the likes of Troy Wood, Mark Danks and Adam Webster.

"He's someone who will complement Webby or Danksy or Troy," he said.

"You want different types of striker and I think we've got that in the four we've got."

Wilding was not prolific in the season he spent at Redditch United, but linked up play well and Preece believes those attributes will benefit City as they push for promotion from Conference North.

"Probably he will be best as a target for us to hit and play off," he said. "We are looking to play football this season and to play into feet. He can handle the ball at his feet. He is strong and he uses his body well."

And Preece believes competition for a first team spot will bring out the best in Wilding.

He said: "He's not frightened of it. It's something that spurs players on. I've always had it at other clubs -- five or six strikers all fighting for two positions.

"It does put you under pressure but I think it's a good pressure to have. You can't drop your standards, you can't get comfortable, you can't just think `I'm going to get picked every week.'

"You can have numbers but not really genuine pressure on you and I think with the four strikers we've got, players know if they don't perform, someone's going to take their place.

Preece even hinted he may change the formation to accommodate an extra striker.

"I'm not saying we are only going to play two strikers," he said.

"It may be that we may play three at times. It will be down to Craig and he is aware of that situation."

The City boss confirmed no fee was needed to acquire Wilding's services but hopes he will be at the Lane for longer than one season.

He said: "There's no fee. It's initially a year but I'm sure as we go on we'll be looking to extend that if Craig does half as well as we think he is going to do."