RAY Woods insists Worcester City's up-and-coming teenagers will not find life easy breaking into Andy Preece's side.

Youth team players Gary Walker, Troy Wood, Dale Watkins and Nat Bulmer, all 18, agreed senior deals at St George's Lane and will hope to muscle out established names next season.

And former City ace Woods, the club's youth development officer, reckons the foursome now face a 'sink or swim' period in their career.

"It's fantastic that these lads have been offered terms for next season," said Woods. "But they know they will find it difficult next season.

"They will start on an even playing field with everybody else. They are now part of the first team and they are not going to have full-time training with the youth team to fall back on.

"Troy, Dale and Gary have all had a taste of playing first team football and Nat is waiting for his chance.

"They are going to have to work hard to get an opportunity. But they know that and they've got the right attitude to give themselves a chance.

"The established first team players know these lads will be breathing down their necks. They are not going to look at them as youngsters, but as rivals for their spot."

This morning, Walker, Wood, Watkins and Bulmer travelled to Lloret, near Barcelona, with the rest of City's youth team for a week-long trip that includes two fixtures against local sides.

They face Penya Barcelonista on Tuesday and FC Lloret on Friday in between three separate training sessions.

Meanwhile, City have confirmed five pre-season matches ahead of the 2006/07 Nationwide North season.

The most glamorous friendly comes on Tuesday, August 3, when Premiership newcomers Sheffield United bring a strong side to St George's Lane.

The game with Neil Warnock's promoted men was arranged as part of teenage midfielder Sam Wedgbury's undisclosed five-figure transfer to the Blades last season.

City's first arranged friendly is at home to Cheltenham Town on Saturday, July 15, before Andy Preece takes his team to Gloucester City on Tuesday, July 18.

They later host Scottish League Division One side Partick Thistle on Thursday, August 3, and county rivals Kidderminster Harriers on Saturday, August 5.