NEW York City loan signing Richard Offiong is hoping to end York's long-running goal drought by doing what he loves best - scoring goals.

The 20-year-old Newcastle United striker was plunged straight into the first team on Saturday without a training session after signing for the club at one minute to five on Friday.

England Under-20 international Offiong is the latest to be drafted in to reverse City's abysmal record in front of goal having scored the fewest in the entire division and today he said he is ready for the challenge.

He said: "The gaffer got in touch and said he needed a quick striker who can score lots of goals and I duly obliged to take the opportunity.

"While I'm here I'm hoping to score lots of goals and play as well as I can both for me and for York. And hopefully I can help end their scoring problems because at the end of the day, that's what I love to do."

Offiong, who turned 20 in December, already has experience of life in Division Three after a loan spell at Darlington last term, and has also played for Motherwell, again on loan, and came on as substitute in last season's Scottish Cup semi-final against Rangers at Hampden Park in April.

This latest loan agreement has come at an ideal time for him to get back into competitive football after suffering two injury lay-offs. The first, a thigh strain, struck at the start of this campaign, with damaged ankle ligaments getting in the way more recently.

But he is now fit and raring to get back on the scoresheet.

"I have been injured for quite a while," he said. "So this is a great chance to get some games under my belt before the end of the season.

"I really enjoyed playing on Saturday although I didn't have much chance to get to know the lads before the game. But I've started to get to know them now and they are a great set of lads and I can see myself doing well here."

Offiong's ultimate ambition is to pull on an England shirt as a full international after breaking into the Premiership ranks at St James's Park and so take the next step up from being an U20 international.

Former England team-mates have included the likes of Glen Johnson of Chelsea, Newcastle colleague Michael Chopra and Darren Bent of Ipswich and lining up next to him at York City is another former youth international, Andy Bell.

Offiong added: "It's been good playing for England, I have really enjoyed being involved and getting the chance to play with some of the best players in the world.

"It's great seeing everyone progress and it gives me more confidence as well. A full England place is what I'm eventually aiming for."

Last season he played against Germany, Italy, Portugal, Argentina and Turkey for England U20s.

Updated: 11:14 Tuesday, March 16, 2004