MANAGER John Snape wants to extend Liam Lockett’s contract at Worcester City after admitting he “would pay to watch” his midfield maestro.

Teen sensation Lockett was the shining light in Saturday’s 5-2 Midland Football League Premier Division victory at Quorn, sauntering through effortlessly time and again to wreak havoc for the hosts.

The product of City’s youth set-up signed a one-year deal at the start of his first full season in the senior ranks and has featured in 33 matches to date, more than any other player.

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Raw talent Ethan Moran last week penned terms until the end of next season with Snape suggesting there could be more in the pipeline.

And with interest building in Ludlow-based ace Lockett, his gaffer is making no secret of wanting to lock down his services.

“We have lost many players to higher levels this season and with that in mind we want to look after our local, young stars if we can,” said Snape.

“We talk regularly to the board and have highlighted a few that will hopefully get deals to keep them here so we can build a side to challenge for honours next season.

“Liam falls into that category, 100 per cent. It is his first year at this level and I think he has been absolutely outstanding.

“His application is very good and he is a pleasure to have around the dressing room. He is a bit quiet but that will come.

“People have been watching him and he is one that I would pay to watch, that’s how good his feet are.”

Asked how far Lockett could go Snape replied: “I think that is up to Liam, you do have to realise we are at step five and that is no disrespect to anyone.

“He still needs nurturing and managing but if he can keep showing that kind of form, people will come knocking.

“Ethan Moran has the same kind of features, especially going forward, and looked lively. It was their kind of surface to get it down and pass it.

“I think everyone did that, even the back three wanted it in tight areas because they believed in the ability that we know they have.

“We had opportunities even before the first goal and could have been in front after a few seconds. That really set the tone.

“The main thing was we passed the ball for fun and were excellent from start to finish.

“The goalkeeper going off actually stifled the momentum a little bit, with the way the game was going I think we would probably have had more than the three at half-time if he hadn’t (been sent off).

“They went forward in the second half and got a couple back, that was disappointing and you start to think ‘here we go again’ but Liam worked some more magic to score one and make sure we got another. He was absolutely unplayable.

“This was a confidence booster on the back of some bad results. I am not going to get too carried away by it but the work rate and commitment was out of this world and long may that continue.”