Former Manchester United and Burnley academy player determined to be success at Inverness Caley Thistle
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BEN Woods says he is buzzing at the chance to show what he can do at Inverness Caledonian Thistle.
The 20-year-old became Caley Thistle's second signing of the January transfer window and made his debut in the 0–0 draw against Queen's Park last week.
The centre midfielder came through the academy system at Manchester United and at Burnley before arriving at the Caledonian Stadium earlier this month.
Woods says he is determined to show what he can do at Inverness and thinks once he is match fit, he can make a big contribution to their promotion challenge.
"I feel once I get fit and ready to go, I can make an impact," he said.
"Once I get fit, I can make an impact and get us up the league and get us promoted.
"There are four or five teams that can go up and we need to do what we can to be up there at the end of the season."
Woods left the Manchester United youth system in 2018 and joined Burnley, spending four seasons at Turf Moor before leaving in the summer last year.
He said he learned a lot coming through the youth systems of both clubs, but is relishing the prospect for playing first team men's football in Scotland.
"It was a brilliant as Manchester United are one of the biggest clubs in the world, meeting some of the players and staff there and the chances I had was out of this world.
"Burnley are a massive club, they were in the Premier League when I was there.
"I had a good upbringing throughout my time at the academy, but now is the right time to play men's football.
"This is the right time to challenge myself to come and do it and thanks to Inverness they have given me the chance. I am looking forward to it.
"It is men's football and it is physical so it will be different to what I am used to at under-23 level."
Woods says he is clear what head coach Billy Dodds is looking from him on the pitch and is determined to repay the faith he has shown.
"He wants me to come in and make an impact as quick as I can," he said.
"He knows what I can do and watched me.
"I haven't played many games recently and wants me to get up to speed as quick as I can and do what I do best.
"Hopefully it won't be too long before I can do that."
Woods had been without a club for a significant period of time before arriving at Inverness. But he worked hard to keep himself in good shape as he looked to find a new club.
"I kept on top of myself, I work hard and kept doing that, but you can't replicate playing in a match on your own.
"The quicker I can get into it and get going, the quicker I can have a bigger and better impact on the team."
