George Sykes is hoping to feature for Barnet’s first-team before the end of the season after winning the LFE League Two Apprentice of the Year award. 

The youngster, who was presented with the award on Sunday night, admitted he was surprised to win the award but was even more shocked he was nominated in the first place. 

Following the Development Squad’s 1-1 draw with Millwall on Monday Sykes revealed his ambitions for the remainder of the 2012/13 season.

“With six matches left this season I would like to be involved with the first-team as much as possible but my main focus is to keep playing well in the youth and development teams. 

“If I do that hopefully the first-team management will notice me and I will get the opportunity to be involved in the squad. 

The 18-year-old was the youth-team’s top goalscorer last season and although the step up to second-string football has been tough he has relished the opportunity. 

“I was the top goalscorer in the Under-18s last year and I scored a few goals at the start of the season for the Development Squad but my form has not been as good as I would have liked. 

“Under-21 football is a lot harder because you’re playing against more experienced players but hopefully it will stand me in good stead to step up to the first-team.”

Speaking to the Football League Sykes also spoke of his desire to play at the ‘highest level possible’ after being presented with the award on Sunday Evening

"I am really surprised, I didn’t expect when I started my scholarship that I would be getting something like this. It just shows if you work as hard as you can, you give yourself a chance.

"I would like one day to play at the highest level possible but I am not getting ahead of myself."