Leeds United's teenage sensation Simon Walton is determined not to be overawed even though he can hardly believe he is in the first team.

Having scored his first senior goal in the 1-1 draw at Reading on Tuesday, the 17-year-old midfielder is still on a high and said: "To think that only two years ago I was sitting in the East Stand watching Leeds. What has happened is unbelievable.

"I got my chance and I've got to keep proving that I'm worth my place. I was happy with my goal at Reading but not particularly the rest of my game.

"Being chucked in at a high level is pretty nerve-wracking but I've enjoyed it."

Walton's fiercely competitive style belies his lack of experience but his enthusiasm sometimes gets him into trouble - he also picked up his second yellow card of the season at Reading and was sent off in a pre-season friendly against Valencia.

He admits: "I try to be like everyone else and not hold back.

"You've got to stick up for yourself and put your foot in sometimes. You can't hide."

There was also an improved performance at Reading from striker Michael Ricketts the day after he received a stark warning from manager Kevin Blackwell that he must do more in matches.

The former England front man is starting to benefit from the extra work he has been putting in with personal fitness coach, Lennie Johnrose.

Ricketts said; "Those extra sessions are really paying off because I feel a lot sharper and fitter.

"My weight has never been an issue because I've always been a big guy and it's just a matter of extra sharpness now."

Despite a lot of hard work Ricketts and his fellow strikers, Brett Ormerod, Brian Deane and Julian Joachim, were again unable to find the net and Leeds boss Blackwell is still desperate to bring in a new face to brighten things up.

He was hoping to have completed the signing of Northern Ireland international front-man David Healy by now but Preston have turned down every offer and Blackwell's assistant Sam Ellis has hinted that they will soon turn their attentions elsewhere.

Ellis said: "You can't go on chasing someone forever.

"If the answer is no, we will have to look somewhere else."

Updated: 11:49 Thursday, October 21, 2004