PICKERING Town Under-11s captain Billy Fewster is close to signing academy forms with Leeds United.

The highly-rated youngster has been training with the Championship big-guns’ U11s shadow squad for 14 months and has now agreed “Youth Development 8” forms, which amounts to a six-week trial for the Whites’ academy.

He donned the Leeds strip for the first time on Sunday, playing at the back in a practice match win over Sheffield United.

The downside is it means he can no longer play for the Pikes, but the Ryedale club were delighted he now had this opportunity.

Pickering Juniors chairman Gary Dawson said: “Billy’s team are about to win their league so it’s a pity he misses the last couple of games. He has a good future hopefully. He’s got every chance of making it.

“We’ve a few players good enough to be down there or at York City.”

Fewster has played for the Pikes since U8s.

Dawson added: “He’s got quality on the ball, he’s technically gifted and reads the game well, and he always wants to learn.”

York & Ryedale Mitchell Sports League division two leaders Pickering U11s got back to winning ways without their skipper thanks to a 5-2 victory at Tockwith - Morgan Kendrew hitting four goals.

The first half ended 2-2 but the Pikes got on top in the second after Charlie Hancock was moved from defence into midfield. Sam Jenkins fired home the other goal from outside the box.