JOSH Payne will travel to Salford next month as a hot favourite to win his age group in the Manchester United Soccer Schools, having smashed the points record in his heat at Newbury, in June.

The 11-year-old from Brighton Hill will be taking part in the 11 to 14 age group final on December 14, when all the winners, 90 in total across four age groups, meet up.

All the kids will be guests of Manchester United for their home game against West Ham after the finals.

For Josh, it is another chapter in a very successful young career which started when he won the Southampton Soccer School at the age of six, at Brighton Hill.

Two years later, the youngster who plays either centre back or midfield, attended an Arsenal Soccer School and won that.

Just before his eighth birthday, he signed for Crystal Palace and recently moved up a year to play for their under-13 side.

His training involves going to Beckenham on Thursday and Saturday, while on Monday he goes to the Bracknell satellite centre.

Josh's father Tony will be travelling up to Salford with him and said: "I know he is looking forward to it and I hope he does well and enjoys the experience."