Daniels on full-time path: Hamilton

GLENAVON boss Gary Hamilton was instrumental in the progress of Mark Sykes and Bobby Burns, who both moved to full-time football, and he believes star man Josh Daniels has the quality to take a similar route.

The 23-year-old has been so impressive for the Lurgan Blues in the new Danske Bank Premiership campaign and has become a firm favourite with the fans.

Daniels will again need to be at his best when Hamilton takes his boys for a derby dust-up with high-flying Dungannon Swifts at Stangmore Park tomorrow.

Having watched Sykes and Burns develop their careers at Oxford United and Hearts respectively, Hamilton reckons Daniels

Rising star: Josh Daniels

could also become a transfer magnet — if he can add goals to his game.

“Josh is an exciting player and he has all the potential in the world to go across the water,” said Hamilton. “He beats players for fun. When you look at the likes of former Crusaders winger Gavin Whyte (he moved to Oxford and has since been transferred to Cardiff City), he scored around 15 or 20 goals a season.

“That’s my challenge for Josh, if he wants to get there (across the water). He scored nine last year, but if he can reach 15 to 20 goals this season then why not?” • FORMER Glenavon ace Mark Sykes has been made available for a loan move away from Oxford United in the first half of the season.

The 22-year-old’s only appearance so far this campaign has been in the Carabao Cup.

U’s head coach Karl Robinson said: “Sykesy needs to go and play some minutes. There’s no point having an investment being a substitute.”