IN new signing Elliot Morris, Paul Carden believes Warrington Town have a player desperate to prove himself.

Having been a prolific goalscorer at lower levels of the footballing pyramid for several years during spells at City of Liverpool and Skelmersdale United among others, the 26-year-old now gets the chance to shine at the highest level he has featured at.

The forward’s signing was confirmed on Tuesday and went straight into the starting line-up for that evening’s Liverpool Senior Cup clash with Southport.

While he could not prevent Yellows’ current goal drought stretching to a fourth consecutive game, with the visitors leaving Cantilever Park with a 2-0 victory, Carden believes he displayed enough to show he will be a valuable addition to his squad.

And part of that comes down to Morris’ desire to test himself in the National League North.

“There’s no substitute for hunger in a player,” he said.

“You can’t buy appetite and desire to do well – if you could bottle it up and give it to a few players, it would go for a lot of money.

“He’s proven a few leagues below and when I was speaking to him, I told him he would always be able to play at that level so why not give himself a chance?

“A player that he knows just got a move into the league off the back of one season at this level, and I asked Elliot if he felt this player was better than he is, and he said no.

“Let’s see where it can take him – he’s an intelligent lad and he’s certainly one who’s going to be a good player for us.

“I felt we lacked a player to stretch the game. It’s something you need and what we saw on Tuesday, that’s something he can offer.

“He can get down the sides but he’s clever with his movement, so he gives you that understanding and option.

“He reminds me a little bit of Jack Mackreth when he was here, but I think Elliot can score goals and make goals for us. We’re looking forward to him being fully available for us.”

Unfortunately, Yellows will not be able to call upon Morris for their instant reunion with Southport – this time at the Sandgrounders’ Haig Avenue home in the FA Trophy – as he is “cup-tied” having already featured for City of Liverpool in this year’s competition.

They are also set to be without left-back Andy White for a sustained period of time after he was forced off during last weekend’s 1-0 loss to Alfreton Town with an ankle injury, while midfielder Jay Harris (groin) is also unlikely to play.

“Whitey’s going to be a while, which isn’t good because we lose that balance,” Carden said.

“Jay is still not right, so it’s two big players for us but it means other lads have got to step up, take the shirt and keep it. It’s as simple as that.”