WORCESTER City have strengthened their artillery with the signing of Forest Green Rovers striker Mark Danks.

Stourbridge-based Danks checked in at St George's Lane after scoring five goals in seven games during a month's loan spell at Cirencester Town.

The capture of the lightning-quick 21-year-old brings to an end player-manager Andy Preece's desperate hunt for a proven goalscorer.

And he is expected to make his debut on Saturday when struggling City face Gainsborough Trinity at Northolme in search of much-needed Nationwide North points.

Although not blessed with great height, 5ft 7in Danks is described as a "livewire" and boasts a healthy strike-rate at former clubs excluding Conference club Forest Green.

He failed to make a first-team breakthrough at Rovers following his August 2004 move from Hednesford. But he blasted 24 goals in 42 matches for the Pitmen in 2003/04 and, along with City full-back Les Hines, steered the club to their FA Trophy final success.

Danks, who started his career at Wolves and represented England at Under 15 and 16 level, also starred at Bromsgrove Rovers earlier this term, netting twice in a shock FA Cup second qualifying round 3-1 win over Hinckley United.

"Mark is a proven goalscorer," said Preece, who tracked the striker for a month. "He scored a lot of goals at Hednesford in a side struggling in that particular season.

"He may not be a big lad, but he's a livewire with good, quick feet. He makes things happen and will give us that spark. I think we've needed someone who can change a game, perhaps with a turn and shot or something out of the blue.

"Mark is based around Stourbridge and I think we need to get players that are local. That's important, so he fits the bill."

For such a young, promising player, Danks has been involved at many clubs and Preece believes his new recruit is hungry to find his spiritual home.

Preece added: "He's been at a number of clubs, mostly on loan. But he now wants to settle down, get his goals and do well for us.

"He wants to achieve at Worcester and it makes a big difference when you get comfortable in your surroundings.

"Mark's capable of playing at a higher level. He did not get too many opportunities at Forest Green, so this is the ideal platform for him to prove how good he is."