LEWIS Morgan believes he is ready to take his game to the next level and make a place in the Dorchester Town midfield his own.

And the 19-year-old reckons the Magpies can prove any doom and gloom merchants wrong next season by not only avoiding relegation but challenging for the play-offs.

Morgan, an apprentice electrician, is hoping the sparks will fly in his second season at Conference South level after stepping up from the Dorset Premier League last summer.

He had something of a mixed first term at the Avenue with some solid performances countered by a frustrating groin injury that caused him to miss a number of games.

Now fully fit, Morgan is keen to get back into the swing of things at pre-season training this evening before trying to earn a regular spot in the starting line-up.

“This season is going to be a chance for me to step up and make a spot in the midfield my own,” he said. “I really want to give it a go.

“Last season was my first at Conference South standard and although people told me I did alright it was hard to get a good run in the side.

“It was difficult when you had two quality midfielders like Ashley Nicholls and Jamie Gleeson to compete with, but I’m hoping it can be different as Ash has gone.

“I played alongside Glees a couple of times last season and my aim is to do that a lot more.”

On the goal for the team, he added: “We’ve lost a few players but I don’t think we’ve got too much to worry about.

“We’ve still got the core of the squad from last season and with that stability I think we’re going to be okay.

“We’ve got a good bunch of lads who like a laugh and work for each other, on and off the field.

“The Conference South is always an unpredictable league and if the lads work hard we cannot just stay up but go for the play-offs.

“If you don’t have ambitions you’re not going to do anything.”

Morgan is one of several youngsters who are likely to play an important role next season given the departure of Nicholls, Sam Malsom, Jamie Symes, Nathan Walker and Jason Matthews.

While they made the decision to leave in the midst of the recent changes at the club, Morgan says he had no hesitation signing a new deal last month.

“I was always going to stay if I was offered a new contract,” he said. “It’s a great club with great people.

“It wasn’t about the money, it was about having the chance to play for the club.”

The Avenue’s lounge bar hosts a fans’ forum tonight (7pm).