DAWSON TARGETING NEW SEASON

DAWSON TARGETING NEW SEASON

Young midfielder already preparing for 2015/16...

Young midfielder Chris Dawson says he already has his sights set on next season and wants to make sure he is "100 per cent ready" for a first-team push.

Dawson has appeared twice for Neil Redfearn’s side this campaign – as a substitute against Cardiff City and Fulham – as well as being named on the bench on a number of occasions.

Redfearn has hinted at fielding some of the club’s youngsters in the final seven games of the season, with fellow Academy graduates Kalvin Phillips and Lewis Walters both unused substitutes in recent weeks.

But although Dawson says he would jump at any opportunity between now and May, the 20-year-old’s focus is on making sure he is totally ready for when 2015/16 comes around.

"I’m preparing now for next year," Dawson explained after starring in Monday night’s Under-21s victory over Brentford.

"I’m getting myself ready and making sure that I’m 100 per cent ready to go next year.

"Whatever happens between now and the end of the season, I’ll take. I’ll be happy to take anything if it does come along but, for now, I’m focusing on making sure that I’m ready for next year.

"I’ve spoken to Neil Redfearn a few times. Hopefully he sees me involved a lot more next year.

"I’m just going to keep going for my own game and see what happens."

Dawson, who is capped at Under-21s level for Wales, is naturally a central player, often playing in an advanced role behind the strikers, but he has recently found himself utilised in a right-wing position for United’s U21s.

"I struggled at first, to be fair," he said. "But I’m getting used to it a lot more now and getting on the ball a lot more than when I started playing there.

"I’m enjoying a bit more than I was originally."

Dawson set up Luke Parkin’s 85th-minute winner as United came from behind to claim a 2-1 victory over Brentford, and the midfielder felt his side were good value for the three points at Elland Road.

"I thought it was a well-deserved victory," he said. "It was frustrating to go 1-0 down and miss a few one-on-one chances with the keeper.

"But I think we did well to get back into the game and we deserved to win it from there."

On his own performance, Dawson added: "I thought I played well on Monday night, especially in the second half. I tried to get us playing forward and getting balls through to the strikers.

"It was just unfortunate we couldn’t finish them sometimes.

"I’m really pleased. I’m pleased for Parko as well, he’s been pushed out quite a bit sometimes. He’s done well every time he’s come on so fair play to him."

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