YOUNG City hot-shot Reece Webb-Foster has the confidence in his own game to score goals at any level.

That is the view of the club's head of academy coaching Steve Thornber as the 18-year-old prepares to be plunged into his first senior pre-season.

City have high hopes for Webb-Foster, who made his debut against MK Dons two seasons ago aged just 16.

As a second-year scholar, he signed a professional deal in November tying him down until the end of the 2018 campaign.

Thornber rates the Haworth-born teenager as a "natural" finisher and says he certainly possesses the self-belief to make the step up.

"Reece is a confident kid and he's confident he will score at whatever level he plays, whether it's Football League or in training with the first team," said Thornber.

"He's showed he can score goals right from the time he came into the club. He has been prolific. You need that confidence as a striker. He is single-minded; a typical striker, not a team player.

"If he's anywhere 20 to 25 yards out, you know there's danger. He is just going to shoot – at times you do need another ball just for him.

"He is just a natural. Reece is the best finisher I've worked with in youth football."

Webb-Foster scored a hat-trick on loan for Park Avenue at the end of last season and was recalled by former boss Phil Parkinson as cover at City.

He did not make the squad in the play-offs but could get his opportunity in next month's friendlies.

Thornber said: "The gaffer called him back because of his goals but unfortunately he hasn't had the chance with us yet.

"Obviously we were pushing for the play-offs, so it was difficult because they were all high-pressure games. If we were in mid-table, there would have been a chance to give him a go.

"But managers will usually take a couple of youth team players away and young pros in pre-season and they get games. Remember Lewis Clarkson two years ago in Ireland doing well and scoring a few goals.

"Reece is likely to get the game time and it's down to him. But I'm sure training with the pros every day will bring him along physically."

With time on Webb-Foster's side because of the longer-term contract, City may look to the loan route again to continue his development.

Thornber insists the striker will not be fazed wherever he performs and said: "He isn't the biggest but he is quite a strong lad. We just wonder about him physically getting round the pitch.

"But Reece has never been short of confidence. There have been games where somebody else has scored and he's been gutted that it wasn't him.

"He will have had chances to score and beat himself up for missing them. You can see him getting annoyed with himself. Reece is totally different. He is an individual."