Nahki Wells says he is encouraged by his pre-season form which he intends to build upon heading into the upcoming campaign in the Sky Bet Championship.

The Bermuda captain expressed these sentiments after coming off the bench to grab a late winner in Bristol City’s 1-0 victory away to Plymouth Argyle on Saturday.

Wells combined with fellow substitutes Mark Sykes and Sam Bell to break the deadlock with less than ten minutes remaining.

Wing back Sykes won the ball on the edge of the box before forward Bell fed striker Wells, who then fired a left-footed shot under the goalkeeper.

“It’s always good to get a goal and that can create a bit of confidence in myself,” Wells commented on the club’s official website.

“I feel good, it was obviously tough out there today. The conditions made it tough and credit to Plymouth as well.

“But for us we know it’s pre-season; it’s about getting what we need out of it. We can look back at the negatives and take the positives from today moving forward.

“They are a very good side. They worked us in many different ways. They caused us many different problems, something that we will probably be able to use going forward; try to rectify heading into towards the start of the season. But it’s a win for us and another clean sheet so some positives to take definitely.”

Wells’s winner made amends for an earlier chance he failed to take after being denied by the goalkeeper.

“I got played through, something that I always back myself to finish,” he added. “A bit disappointed how I took it and a good save by the keeper.

“I put my head down for a few minutes after that. A bit disappointed in that but another chance came and I was clinical enough to take it.”

Wells is gradually reacclimatising to the English game after being involved with Bermuda last month in the Concacaf Nations League.

“International was a bit different to the English game, so I am definitely feeling the step up,” he said. “But I feel good, I feel positive.”

The 32-year-old is also encouraged by City’s pre-season preparations.

“I think we’ve worked very hard in the first 3½ weeks,” he added. “Very, very hard and the numbers are fantastic from us, so I think we are in a good place. Everyone has got a lot of minutes so our fitness levels up, and I think that can only help the performances on the pitch.“

Wells is entering the final year of his contact at City and has attracted interest from league rivals Preston North End, Swansea City and Queens Park Rangers.

He notched 20 goals in 66 appearances during two previous loan spells with QPR between 2018 and 2020.