Hayward's sights set on first-team
Kidderminster youngster Nathan Hayward has set his sights on breaking through to the Harriers first-team and prove he was right to turn down Wolves last year.
The 17-year-old midfielder signed his first professional contract this summer, a one-year deal, along with fellow former youth team star Zac Costello.
Twice being named on the bench is as far as the teenager has got to the first team this season, after making his full debut last term as a late sub at Burton in the Setanta Shield.
But Hayward is just pleased as punch to be a pro.
He said: "I am concentrating on breaking through and I am learning all of the time. The future is bright here, so for two young players like myself and Zac to get pro deals here is great.
"The gaffer gave us incentives in pre-season to prove that we deserved contracts, and we did that."
Hayward spent time at the Wolves academy last season and played in an under-16 game, but declined the chance of a further week with the now Premier League club - despite the blessing of his manager to go.
The boy wonder recalls: "If I had gone to Wolves, I could have been just another number. The gaffer encouraged me to go and give it a try, he even said if they signed me up for the season and then released me, I would be welcome back with him.
"He was really good about the whole situation, but that just made me want to stay at Kidderminster even more. I knew I had a good chance of a contract here, in my eyes I thought and still think I have made the right decision.
"I think Wolves keep asking how I am doing, but there hasn't been any official contact since."
