NEW striker Ryan Brunt does not mind being unselfish to help get York City back on the goal trail.

Brunt has been brought in on loan from Bristol Rovers to boost the Minstermen’s firepower with the team having fired blanks in five of their last seven outings.

The 21-year-old forward has not netted himself in 25 games since bagging a brace against Port Vale in March 2013 but has a reputation for being the ideal foil for fellow frontmen and is happy to fill that role at Bootham Crescent.

He said: “Taking defenders away to make space for other people is a big part of my game. I don’t mind being unselfish and making runs to get other people goals.”

Brunt has been referred to as an old-fashioned centre-forward by new boss Nigel Worthington and previous managers he has worked with.

It is a description he reckons is a fair one but does not necessarily tell the whole story in terms of his attacking qualities.

“I don’t mind being called an old-fashioned centre-forward,” he added.”

“It’s reasonable enough, although I like to think I’m maybe a bit more than that as well.”

Having been sidelined due to knee problems for the last six months as Bristol Rovers tumbled into the Conference, Brunt is also determined to take the chance he has been handed to prove himself at Football League level again.

He explained: “When we dropped out of the League, I didn’t have a big part to play unfortunately, which wasn’t good and I have made it clear that my ambition is to play at a higher level.

“I want to play League football and as high as I can in my career.

“There were a few teams and various bits and bobs in the pipeline, but things were stalling a bit and, as soon as I heard the gaffer here wanted me, even though it’s a long way to come, I was really up for it, so it all got sorted very quickly.”

Brunt failed to make the Pirates’ 16-man squad during the last five matches prior to his Minstermen switch and has not come to Bootham Crescent to sit on the bench or in the stands.

“It’s been frustrating,” he said of his Memorial Ground experiences this term. “I’ve been in and out of the team for one reason or another and it hasn’t been the start to the season I would have liked.

“I just want to play football, get back in a team and really kick on now. I’ve had a tough time over the last few months, so this move has given me a new lease of life.

“I’ve come here to play and do well. Obviously, I’m not guaranteed a spot but I’m going to be given a chance and, hopefully, I can prove the manager right.”

Having last completed 90 minutes in a senior outing 12 months ago, Brunt admits that he might need time to get fully up to speed, but he is happy to leave that judgement up to Worthington, saying: “I’ve not played that many games, so match fitness will come into play a little bit.

“The gaffer will look at that though and, with his experience, will know where I’m at in that respect.”

Brunt underwent knee surgery last season, having suffered cruciate damage earlier in his career, but is confident he has made a full recovery.

“My knee problem wasn’t anything bad,” he explained. “It wasn’t a cruciate or anything and I had some good rehab in America to do things right, so I feel fit and sharp now.”

The Birmingham-born target man is open, meanwhile, to the idea of extending his loan stay beyond the initial one-month arrangement.

“We will see at the end of the month,” he said.

“I can’t say much at the moment, but there could be options that I would have to look at.”