'I can replace Ryan Woods,' says Town new-boy Ian Black

His claim came as manager Micky Mellon opted against extending the trials of Yann Songo'o and Rhys McCabe.

Midfielder Black came through his second outing for Town in yesterday's 3-3 home reserves' draw against Walsall, playing 69 minutes. The former Rangers man has amassed 300 games in Scotland and won one full cap north of the border.

And Black believes he can replace Woods, who joined Brentford for £1m last month.

"It doesn't faze me who was here before," he said.

"I know what I'm capable of doing. I saw the young boy (Woods) play before I came in and he left to go on to great things – but I'm there to stake my claim.

"He's in the past and I'm here to help the club kick on. It's all about me now, not him."

Black has been without a club since leaving the Ibrox giants in May but believes he is ready for first-team action as Town prepare for the visit of Crewe on Saturday.

"I feel ready right now. There's no point in not being ready," he added.

"If the gaffer calls on me, no matter how much training I've done, I've got to tell him I'm ready and I certainly am.

"I wouldn't shy away from any opportunity.

"I know I'm lacking match fitness, but I've got to have the right attitude so I'm ready to step in whenever he calls on me."

Black's only pre-season training was a short stint at Berwick Rangers while he tried to secure a move to England.

And he admits he is still trying to get up to speed.

"Yesterday was only my second game after not playing for quite a while, so it will take time to get match-fit.

"But I was happy with some of the things I did."