GRAHAM Kitchener insists he does not see his second stint at Worcester Warriors as a “short-term thing” after returning to Sixways this summer.

The experienced lock, who has re-signed from Leicester Tigers, says he hopes to “really influence this club” and “do my bit over the next few years”.

Kitchener, 29, graduated from the Worcester academy, making his debut in 2007 before going on to make 72 appearances in his first spell.

After leaving for rivals Leicester in 2011, Kitchener spent eight years at Welford Road, winning the Anglo-Welsh Cup in his first season and the Premiership title in 2013.

Kitchener played more than 150 games for Tigers but felt it was the “right time” to depart and come back to where it all began.

“The vision that Alan (Solomons) and the rest of the coaches have for the team is exciting and there are lots of young guys coming through,” Kitchener said.

“Hopefully this time the club will be really pushing.”

Kitchener would not reveal his contract length but when asked whether he hoped to be at Warriors for a long time he said: “If they want me.

“I would like to be here (for a long time).

“I have a strong connection with this club. I have really enjoyed my time here so far and I certainly don’t see it as a short-term thing.”

Kitchener was a key member of the Warriors side that gained promotion from the Championship in the 2010-11 campaign.

But the uncapped forward insisted he did not regret his decision to join Leicester.

“I was excited to have the offer from Leicester,” said Kitchener when reflecting on the move to Tigers.

“The opportunity at the time was to play Heineken Cup rugby and play with the team that was packed with internationals. I was 21 and wanted to learn. That was reason.

“I do not regret the decision but it is great to come back now and hopefully I can really influence this club and do my bit over the next few years.”

With his younger brother Andrew coming through the ranks, Kitchener said he had kept tabs on Warriors during his time at Tigers and was delighted to get the opportunity to come back.

“It’s got a place in my heart because these are the guys that picked me up in the academy and gave me the chance,” Kitchener said.

“They gave me my senior debut and I played lots of games early on which for a young player was great. I am very grateful for that and it is always going to be a special club.”

However, Kitchener also experienced one of the toughest moments in his career in the blue and gold.

With Warriors trailing Bedford Blues 22-16 and only six minutes left of the Championship semi-final at Sixways, Kitchener looked set to score as he celebrated on his way to the try-line only for the ball to be dislodged from his grasp.

Kai Horstmann spared Kitchener’s blushes when he bagged the match-winning try as Warriors went on to secure their place in the top flight.

But the nightmare spillage eight years ago remains a sore topic for Kitchener.

“I was 21 at the time so when something like that happens it’s pretty tough but you have got to move on in rugby,” Kitchener said.

“I have certainly tried to put that to bed. Hopefully that experience made me stronger.

“I scored some great tries, played some good rugby and won some good games so that (drop) is certainly not the abiding memory from my time.

“Hopefully the supporters here remember the good things as well!”

On what he hopes to achieve at Warriors, Kitchener added: “I don’t think there is unfinished business here. This is a new start.

“I am excited by the way the team can play and hopefully we can get that consistency so who knows what will happen?”

Warriors head to Bath in the Premiership Cup on Saturday (3pm).