Leeds United youngster Lewis Walters says he feels boosted by the confidence head coach Neil Redfearn has placed in him, believing the boss is "fast tracking" him into the senior side.
Walters turned out for Leeds' Under-21 side earlier this week, playing his part in a lacklustre 0-0 draw at Elland Road against Sheffield Wednesday.
The attacker is delighted to have clocked up playing time and wants to continue to boost his fitness before pushing to be involved in the senior squad.
And Walters feels that in Redfearn he has a firm supporter.
"It's like he's fast tracking me and it feels like a really positive thing", the youngster told LUTV.
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"It feels like it's helping me a lot to get where I want to be."
Walters also admits that he is encouraged by his fellow youngsters Sam Byram, Alex Mowatt, Charlie Taylor and Lewis Cook being in and amongst the senior side.
"It gives me a real boost to try to get in the team [because they are there] and I just need to get this fitness that I'm lacking a little bit. I want to get it back up and push on."
Now Walters is focused on further Under-21 games to build up his fitness before making a bid to follow in the footsteps of his fellow youth products by forcing his way into the first team reckoning.
"Hopefully [I will] get a few more Under-21/reserve games in, get my fitness up and push on because Redders has given me that boost, so that should help me get in the team."
And on where he likes to play, the starlet said: "Anywhere in the front three I'll play and I'm happy to play."
It remains to be seen whether Walters can force his way into the first team reckoning before the end of the current season.
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