'ANOMALY' MELIA IS HEADING RIGHT TO THE TOP

CHRIS Forrester admits he often has to remind himself that Mason Melia is still a month shy of his 18th birthday.

- BY MARK McCADDEN

The St Patrick's Athletic striker has scored 11 goals so far this season, with his latest coming in Sunday's FAI Cup win over Shelbourne.

Forrester, who scored the Saints' second against their Dublin rivals, described the teenage sensation as "a bit of an anomaly" whose age-defying antics have left him awestruck.

And he reckons Melia is even better now than when he agreed a League of Ireland record €1.9m move to Tottenham.

That deal will be completed next January, after Melia turns 18, and Forrester said: "He's getting a lot better. I do often forget how young he is.

"I look at him sometimes and I'd be moaning at him about some things. But he's still just a kid. His progression has been nice, it's been nice to be a part of it.

"We all know where he's going so he's going to have a good future in the game. We're actually privileged just to have him here at the moment and he's playing really well.

"Hopefully he keeps progressing the way he's going and keeps playing with a smile on his face. That's the most important thing."