Lee Wort is keen to show Accrington Stanley manager and ex-Saints striker James Beattie his goal-scoring abilities as he attempts to engineer a switch from Sholing during a weeklong trial at the Crown Ground.

The 22-year-old hotshot starred as the Boatmen won the FA Vase and the Sydenhams Premier Division last season, scoring more than 50 goals.

He will be watching Accrington in action this evening when they take on Blackburn Rovers in a pre-season friendly.  

Ahead of his trial, Wort said: “I'm looking forward to meeting up with Beattie.

“We met in Southampton not long after the FA Vase final and had a chat about coming on trial.

“He told me how they work at Accrington. 

“I'm keen to show him what I can do.

“Hopefully he sees the potential in me and I'll just work hard.

“I'm just going to try and do everything I did at Sholing which was score goals and work hard.

“Hopefully that will be enough to impress him.”

Wort's name was passed to Beattie, who scored 76 goals in more than 200 appearances at St Mary's, by several local football people and he requested to meet following the famous Wembley victory. 

His Silverlake Arena team-mate and close friend Barry Mason has no doubt that Wort can make it as a Football League striker.

“He's a natural goal-scorer,” the attacking midfielder said.

“Worty can definitely make it, he has what it takes.

“I told him before he went that he shouldn't feel overawed and that he has earned the right to be there.

“He should play with no pressure and relax.”

Wort will be in Lancashire until Thursday (July 31).

If the trial ends unsuccessfully he admitted he wouldn't hesitate to return to the Silverlake Arena.