SYKES YIKES Hamilton fears bid for ace Mark

GLENAVON boss Gary Hamilton suspects it’s only a matter of time before cross channel clubs come calling for talented midfielder Mark Sykes.

He also believes the 20-year-old stands comparison to Stuart Dallas and Liam Boyce, inset, who both plied their trade in the local game before making it in England and Scotland.

Several Premier League clubs are keeping a close eye on Sykes, while a number of Championship and

League One clubs are also ready to swoop.

Bolton Wanderers were one of a handful of clubs to watch the Northern Ireland

U21 star score a superb solo goal and tee up Adam Foley for Glenavon’s opener in Saturday’s 2-0 win at Ards.

Hamilton rates Sykes highly and concedes he could lose the dynamic midielder either in the January transfer window or next summer.

He said: “Mark is a really promising talent and for me he is good enough to be playing across the water.

“We haven’t had any official bids, but we have had a lot of contact from certain clubs. I’m sure if it doesn’t happen in January, it could happen next summer.

“I’ve told him not to worry about it – just keep your head down and keep producing on the pitch. If you do that, your move will come. If anyone deserves it, it’s Mark.”

Hamilton, who began his career with Blackburn Rovers before returning home to Portadown in 2001, rates Sykes as highly as Northern Ireland duo Dallas and Boyce.

Leeds United winger Dallas made his name with Crusaders before getting his big break with Brentford in 2012 while former Cliftonville striker Boyce joined Ross County in 2014.

Boyce, recovering from a cruciate injury with new club Burton Albion, has won 10 caps, while Dallas has made 28 appearances for the national team.

Hamilton said: “The only two players I can compare Mark to in the Irish League over the last 15 or 16 years are Stuart Dallas and Liam Boyce.

“In my opinion, he is as good and potentially better than them at this age. If Mark does go across the water, it would be a big void to fill, but I do believe he’ll end up in full-time football.

“Whether that’s in January or at the end of the season remains to be seen. He’s certainly good enough.”

Earlier this season, experienced Glenavon midfielder Sammy Clingan said Sykes, who has scored nine goals this season, boasts the quality to carve out a career in full-time football.

He said: “Technically he’s probably the best (young player) at Glenavon. He scores goals, can dribble and has real pace.”