WORCESTER City striker Mark Owen has backed skipper Craig Wilding not to let the boo-boys get to him.

In what has been a torrid few weeks for the St George’s Lane captain, the former Evesham United hot-shot believes the early criticism he has received will not affect him.

“He is a big character,” Owen said. “I have only known him as a player for the past five weeks but I know that he is strong enough to deal with it all.”

Owen, who made a surprise return to the Blue Square South side from City’s tenants Evesham, has been keeping the captain out on the wing following Wilding’s return from suspension.

But with the former Chesterfield trainee out for another three games from next Saturday, Owen can cement his partnership in attack with ex-Shrewsbury Town youngster Marco Adaggio.

“The three of us will have lots of games up front this year, but at the moment it is Marco and me,” Owen said.

“I’m really enjoying being back — it all came a bit out of the blue, but it’s good to be back.”

However, while Adaggio has bagged three goals, Owen has yet to get off the mark after missing a penalty in Monday’s defeat against Bath City.

“I was gutted to miss that,” he said. “It took me a day to get over it.

“I picked an area where to put the ball but I didn’t connect properly and their keeper has gambled the right way — what more can you say.”

n Worcester City understudy keeper James Lester has left the club to join fellow Blue Square South side Bognor Regis Town.

The former Southampton trainee was on the bench for the opening three games of the campaign, but, living on the south coast, he has now signed for the Rocks.