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” terms, which amounts to a five-week trial for the Whites’ full 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.

Pickering Juniors chairman Gary Dawson said: “His 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 got a few players good enough to be down there or at York City, with whom we’re trying to develop good links.”

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. He was like that when he first came and he’s got a good attitude too and always wants to learn.”

Pickering U11s, disappointed to lose to York Cosmos last week, got back to winning ways without their skipper, thanks to a 5-2 win at Tockwith - Morgan Kendrew hitting four of the goals.

Kendrew scored twice as the first half ended 2-2 and the Pikes got on top in the second half after Charlie Hancock was moved from defence into midfield, where his strength and determination proved pivotal.

Hancock supplied balls for Kendrew and Isaac Finch to run off and it paid off as Kendrew got his next two goals, with Sam Jenkins also firing home from outside the box.

Pickering stay top of York & Ryedale Mitchell Sports League division two.