Clyde retired because of arthritis-related injuries

Worcester City manager Richard Dryden says defender Mark Clyde could prove a key signing for the club this season.

Clyde quit the professional game in 2007 because of injury, but Dryden says the former Wolves defender is keen to make his mark in the part-time game.

"He's 26 now and he has put on a bit of timber from not playing, but that is steadily coming off," he said.

"What hasn't changed is his will to win and his desire to go and compete and that rubs off on people."

Clyde was a product of the Wolves academy but made his senior debut in League Two when on loan at Kidderminster Harriers.

We've got our eye on a couple of forwards and maybe a midfielder but we would do well to get them all Richard Dryden

He went on to play for Wolves in both the Championship and the Premier League and won three senior caps for Northern Ireland.

His career was blighted by injuries throughout and he underwent knee and ankle surgery before opting to call time on the professional game at the age of 24.

Clyde made one appearance for Worcester City towards the end of last season and Dryden told BBC Hereford and Worcester it was clear then he had lost none of his competitive appetite.

"We were expecting him to play for half-an-hour maximum but we had to drag him off after 65 or 70 minutes," he said.

"Since then he has got pretty fit on his own during the close season.

"He has been out road running which puts pressure on knees and ankles and he has come back pretty fit," he added.

Dryden is working with a very tight budget at City but is still hopeful of bringing in at least two more players.

"We've got our eye on a couple of forwards and maybe a midfielder but we would do well to get them all," he said.

"I think we have got 15 signed on now so we have done pretty well.

"But if we could nick two more decent players who could affect games at the other end then I would be very happy."

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