Teenager Ryan Sardi is under no illusions as to the challenges he faces to force his way into the starting line-up.   A product of Inglewood United’s youth system, Sardi is coming off a breakthrough 2015 which culminated in him starting the final five games of the season, only a few months after he’d been playing Under-18s.

Sardi had hoped to build on that momentum this year, but a close-season recruitment drive which brought over a dozen new faces to Inglewood has sent him down the pecking order.   Unperturbed, the 19-year old defender is determined to prove his value to coach Taki Nicolaidis’ and reclaim his position in the senior line-up.

“It’s going to be a challenging season for me,” Sardi said.   “Nailing down a regular first team spot is going to be difficult as there are some very experienced players at the club.   But I’ve got high standards and I want to be back in the first team.   I’ll work hard in training and in games with the Under-20s to make sure I get that chance.”

Sardi, currently a regular fixture of the Under-20s, intends using his time on the training track to gleam as much as he can from his more experienced teammates.   “Some of the guys in the squad have played at a high level and just by training with them I’m becoming a more confident and composed player,” he said.

“I’ve learnt a lot in the last few months but there are still aspects of my game that I need to improve.   It’s a work in progress but hopefully I can show the coaching staff that I can be part of the first team.   I just have to go out there every week, play my game and do my best for myself and the team.”