THE name of Matthew Young has appeared in the last few Town squads as yet another feather in the cap of the hard-working Academy.

The 18-year-old midfielder still has another year to serve in the club's youth system, but he has been fast-tracked to the edge of Peter Jackson's senior side and he's loving every minute of it.

Young was on the bench for the first time against Southend and travelled to both Northampton and Hull as a member of the Third Division squad.

"Just being on the team bus and in the changing rooms on matchday has been a great experience for me," said the Leeds-born player.

"I couldn't be more pleased with how it's gone this season and to be getting some Reserve starts as well has been excellent.

"It has been a big step up because I'm only a second year in the Academy, but I'm really enjoying it."

Spotted by Graham Yates playing for Oulton Owls, Young was invited for a trial and signed for Town as an 11-year-old.

He has come right through the ranks with support from parents Ian and Jill and is keen to continue working hard to make the grade as a full pro.

"I've had great help from my parents, who have taken me to training and matches as a youngster and who've travelled all over the place to watch me play in the youth team - it's just great to know they are there," he explained.

"You only have to look at the first team to see how good our Academy is with Mirfin, Worthington, Holdsworth, Lloyd and McAliskey all having come through, and it's great to be associated with Huddersfield Town at the moment.

"A lot of faith has been placed in the Academy and it's working well. We all get lots of help from the coaches and the staff and it's excellent for young players."

Young's learning curve has included playing as a frontman in the Reserves, which he's delighted about, and he collected a couple of goals against Burnley a fortnight ago.

"I'm really a centre midfielder, but John Dungworth played me up front a couple of times in the youth team and then a place became available in the Reserves," he said.

"I'm happy to play up there if needed - I'm just happy to wear the shirt at any time - and it's helped me as a midfield player to know how it is to play up front.

"It has also helped with knowing about how to play the ball in to the strikers, so I've enjoyed it. Getting those couple of goals against Burnley helped to settle me down, especially getting the first after about five minutes. Tyrone Thompson also did really well to lay on the second and I had an easy job to finish it off.

"All I'm thinking about now is working hard in the games that are left, looking forward to keeping up and improving my fitness this summer and, hopefully, getting some more chances next season.

"I've got to look to do well in the youth team, hopefully play some more games in the Reserves and, if I'm doing well enough, look to press for the first team.

"It has happened for one or two lads this time, so I want to be at peak fitness to make sure I can take my chance if it comes."