TOWERING striker George Waring is out to show he is much more than a target man during his loan spell at Oxford United.

The 21-year-old has had a whirlwind week after first hearing of the U’s interest late on Monday, prompting a dash south in time to get on the coach for Exeter City.

Waring came off the bench and hit the crossbar with a header in Tuesday night’s 4-1 win, before finally having his first training session yesterday.

At 6ft 5in his physical attributes are obvious, but after learning the ropes from a couple of successful Premier League No 9s, the frontman is keen to demonstrate an all-round game.

He said: “When I was coming through at Everton, we had Duncan Ferguson coaching us.

“He helped me out with a lot of specific stuff he picked up along the way.

“I look at Crouchy (Peter Crouch) at Stoke and analyse bits of his game – I try to get hold of the ball, link up play and score goals.

“I feel I have a lot more to offer than just my height and physical ability.

“I’m more than happy playing on the deck and linking up play. Hopefully I’ll be able to show that in the next few weeks.”

Waring will be in the squad for tomorrow’s short trip to an in-form AFC Wimbledon side who have climbed to fifth in the Sky Bet League Two table.

After scoring six goals on loan in a Barnsley side in the League One play-off mix last season, he is relishing the chance to get involved in another promotion battle.

He said: “It’s exciting. We had it last year at Barnsley so I’m used to the pressure of it.

“We had a six-game winning streak to get into the play-offs and we nearly got there.

“It’s part of football and every game is a cup final, which is enjoyable so you’ve just got to go out and give it your best shot.”

Following the successful loan at Oakwell, Stoke’s intention was to arrange another spell in the Football League earlier in the campaign.

A series of injury problems prevented it until now, but Waring, who played in Everton sides with John Lundstram and Jonjoe Kenny, had no qualms about dropping to League Two.

“Not at all,” he said. “You have to take any opportunities you can to get some league football if it’s offered to you.

“The way things have worked out I’m more than happy to be here.”