THE emergence of striker Chris Jefferson is another example of the burgeoning amount of local talent in Worcester City's squad.

The 24-year-old, who scored and impressed during City's mid-week Dr Martens Cup win over Blakenall, hails from Bromyard, where he first came to City's notice through his scoring feats for the town team in the Banks's Brewery League.

And he's just one of an impressive crop of locally-based players now making a name for themselves in the City camp.

Promising youngsters Jamie Hyde, Danny Scheppel and Wesley Joyce are all from Worcester as are the more established Steve Lutz and Nathan Jukes. Experienced midfielder Ian Cottrill also lives in the city.

Manager John Barton believes developing young, local players is a route City have to take bearing in mind their financial restrictions.

He said: "We are not in a position to go and join the transfer market, and it has always been our intention to have a look at young players, Chris being one of them.

"We know that not all of them are going to come off, but it is an indication of our intent.

"You can't go and play a team of young players, but we have all been guilty of taking it too far the other way. Having done it both ways, a mixture of the two with the right type of experienced player is right.

"There is no substitute for hungry fighters, and you generally find those characteristics come from younger players with something to prove. A player who hasn't got anything to prove is generally one who hasn't got very long left in the game."

Jefferson's goals helped Bromyard to the Banks's Brewery League Division One South title last season and his progress was duly noted by City. Barton said: "Graham Selby and Geoff Ashby had mentioned him and kept referring to him.

"We were well aware we had to make some sort of commitment. We have offered him an opportunity with some investment attached to it, and up to now his progress has been encouraging. But it has to be finished off."

If Jefferson can make half the impact that an unknown youngster recruited from Willenhall Town two years ago has -- a certain Mark Owen -- then City's faith will have been well rewarded.

Barton sees a bright future for all of the other youngsters in the squad, all of whom have garnered significant first-team experience, although they may have to wait for regular opportunities.

"Probably the most experienced of the younger players is Jamie Hyde and we hold him in high regard as well, along with Paul Wyatt who I think will eventually become an excellent player.

"But we have to be patient. I don't see any of them being a regular just yet, but they are part of a good football club at Worcester and it is just a learning curve they have to go through.

"When I was their age and playing for Stourbridge, I was in and out of the side and eventually I stayed in for a longer time, but you have to be taken out from time to time."

n After City's league trip to Stafford on Saturday, they entertain Westfields on Monday in the Worcester Royal Infirmary Senior Cup first round (7.45). City expect to field the bulk of their first-team squad, and admission prices will be reduced to £3 for adults and £1.70 for children.