Young striker Connor Calcutt has paid tribute to Stevenage boss Graham Westley for keeping him ‘grounded’ as he aims to impress his new boss.

The 20-year-old joined up with Boro at the start of pre-season having made the jump from non-league with Berkhamsted.

And against Plymouth Argyle on Tuesday night Calcutt, who is on a short-term contract, scored his first goal for the club in a 1-1 draw.

Yet the rookie frontman knows he has plenty of work to do to prove to Westley that he is worth an extended deal.

Things are going well, coming in every day and working hard, I saw the benefit on Tuesday night, which is always nice,” Calcutt told the Comet.

“It was a bit of a disappointiong result but we just have to keep on working and hopefully we will get the three points on Saturday.

“It’s always nice to get a quick little reward but it’s more of a sign of what’s to come rather than ‘I’ve already done’ so I just want to keep on improving every day and keep working hard.

“It is a step up, it is a difference, but it’s something I’m trying to take in my stride. The fitness is obviously a massive gap [compared to non-league], but I think been here since the start of pre season has done me a world of good and I think physically I have imnproved massively and it’s starting to pay off in games.”

Westley has added a number of players to this season’s squad who were plying their trade in non-league last campaign, and Calcutt believes the work the boss is doing with him is already making him an all-round better player.

“Coming from non league it’s always a case of ‘can he step up to the League 2 plate,’ but I think what Graham [Westley] has done with putting me in slowly and steadily has done me the world of good.

“I’ve got a taste for it and hopefully I can keep progressing and earn my shirt in the starting line-up.

“He has managed to get a great group together, there is camaraderie and things like that, it’s a squad that win together and lose together so it’s always nice to have that.

“I had that at Berkhamsted and I’ve got it here. That professional edge is obviously higher here but that’s something I try to take in my stride.

“Graham has done a great job in keeping me grounded; he won’t let people think they’re the greatest or the next best thing. You have to prove and earn your way up there.”

Making the jump from non-league alongside Calcutt are Sam Beasant, Dean Wells, Andy Bond, Tom Pett, Adam Marriott and Jerome Okimo.

And Calcutt is confident the players all have what it takes to be a success for Stevenage.

“There’s a few of us that have come from non-league here and it’s a case of us stamping our mark on Leage 2, but we’ve got more than enough ability,” he added.

“All of the non league boys just need to prove that we can can play in the [Football] League.”