ON-LOAN York City striker Jake Charles will be out to show Guiseley they were wrong not to take a punt on him during tonight’s National League clash between the two relegation rivals.

But the Wales under-21 international will not let personal feelings overshadow the more important mission of securing a much-needed victory for the Minstermen.

Barnsley forward Charles, 20, started last term on loan at Guiseley from previous club Huddersfield, but could not force his way into the squad and swiftly returned to the John Smith’s Stadium after he failed to make the first-team bench.

Former Minstermen Adam Boyes and Michael Rankine, who are still on the Leeds part-timers’ books, were among the attackers ahead of Charles in the pecking order back then and, as City aim to end a win-less run that has stretched to 16 fixtures, the Garforth-born frontman said: “I was only there (Guiseley) for a couple of weeks and it didn’t really work out, so I went back to Huddersfield.

“You could say I’m out to prove a point against them, but the main thing is to put in a performance to help the team get more points. I’m here to gain experience and, if I score a goal that’s a bonus, but it’s more important to help the club get the win we need.”

Nevertheless, Charles is grateful to City chief Gary Mills for giving him the chance, he was deprived of in West Yorkshire, to demonstrate that he can hack it at senior level.

Having made his full debut during Saturday’s 3-0 defeat at Bromley, the 6ft forward reasoned: “I thought I worked hard and tried to make runs in behind, as well as getting on the end of things.

“It was a tough introduction to the National League, but that’s what it’s all about. It’s proper men’s football and I’m not playing against little kids any more, so I want to prove myself and prove I can compete at this level to help me out in my career.”

Whereas others have shied away from the task of hauling City away from the lower reaches of non-League football’s top tier, Charles is also unfazed, adding: “The club’s situation doesn’t affect me. I look at it as a challenge and that’s what we’ve got one on our hands.”

Having gone into Saturday’s match with a starting XI that only included two players – Simon Heslop (three) and Yan Klukowski (one) – who have netted for the club this season, Charles went on to confess that the Minstermen must prove they can score the goals to claw the club out of trouble.

“We had three or four chances that were better than those Bromley had and you’ve got to take those opportunities by being more clinical,” he pointed out. “It’s as simple as that.

“All their goals came from our mistakes and, if we’d cut that out and taken our chances, we could have won 3-0.”

As the grandson of former Leeds, Juventus and Wales legend John, Charles revealed, meanwhile, that he is proud to be forever associated with his famous relative, rather than daunted by the sizeable challenge of living up to his reputation.

“I don’t mind people mentioning it,” he said of the unavoidable link. “He was a massive player and I take it in my stride to use it as confidence for myself.

“When he passed away, he was fairly ill and I was young, but I remember how big he was in size and stature.”

Unlike his ancestor, though, City fans shouldn’t expect the latest member of a Charles footballing dynasty, that also includes ex-Swansea forwards Mel and Jeremy, to switch between positions at either end of the pitch, even allowing for City boss Gary Mills’ penchant for versatile performers.

“I’ve never done that and that’s why he was unique,” Charles said of his grandad’s renowned centre-back and centre-forward talents. “He used to score a goal up front and then go in defence and keep goals out at the other end.”