DAREN Dykes accepts he may be seen as Swindon Town's 'forgotten man' but the youngster is hoping that the campaign run-in will allow him to show supporters the progress he has made out of the limelight.

The 21-year-old summer capture from Buckingham Town has had to make do with a couple of cup appearances and the odd stint on the first team bench but you won't find him complaining.

Dykes is one of a dozen players out of contract in the summer and he is anxious to show Andy King what he can do.

Unlike regulars such as Danny Invincible (who has yet to agree a new deal), finances are unlikely to be a key factor in whether Dykes is offered a new deal or not. It is common knowledge that he is hardly one of the squad's big-money earners.

A fresh deal hinges on whether King feels the pacy attacking midfielder has progressed this year and that there is potential for him to really blossom in 2003-4.

Dykes said: "The gaffer told me at the start that this first year would be a learning curve for me. He could have thrown me in at the deep end to start with but he knew it would be a massive step for me.

"I totally agree with the way he's gone about things and I have learned so much working with him and Malcolm Crosby.

"I've been involved with the squad on quite a few occasions, played regularly in the reserves and the club gave me the chance to get more experience by loaning me out to Lincoln City for a month.

"Of course your ambition has to be to play first team football but you have to earn that right. I've enjoyed the couple of games I've had and hopefully I will get an opportunity to play again before the end of the season.

"I'm hoping to speak to the gaffer about the contract situation by the end of this month and I'd love to be part of the squad for next season.

"Next year will be a big test for me. I will have shed the tag of being a non-league player and I will have to show that I can really challenge for a place.

"I have been encouraged in the last few weeks because I've been on the bench a few times. Hopefully I can push for a start in the next few weeks."

Having seen his dreams dashed at both Tottenham Hotspur and Leyton Orient, Dykes is savouring every moment of life as a professional.

He said: "I wake up every morning and thank my lucky stars that I have been given another chance to do what most lads dream of becoming when they're at school."

But far from enjoying the champagne lifestyle, Dykes is keeping his feet firmly on the ground.

While other players might be planning a summer lying on a tropical beach or wasting away the hours on a golf course, Dykes plans to help his dad with his car alarm business.

He said: "I'm not the sort of person who likes to sit around doing nothing so I'll be happy to fit a few alarms."