Jack Saville will captain Barnet against Concord Rangers in the FA Trophy on Saturday and the defender admitted he is excited about the opportunity.

The 23-year-old, who was initially told at the end of the season he would he would not be offered a new contract, has already skippered the Bees in pre-season but will get the opportunity to do so in a competitive game on Saturday.

Speaking to the club's website, the former Southampton defender said: "I am excited about it, I am looking forward to it and on a personal note I’m looking to keep pushing on in the right direction."

Saville has had to play second fiddle to the first-choice defensive pairing of Bondz N'Gala and David Stephens this season, but after two impressive back-to-back performances in wins over Macclesfield Town and Torquay United, the Camberley-born defender is enjoying his best run in the side this term.

“I have had to be very patient," he admitted. "I have been put in when needed and personally I feel like I have done well when called upon. On a personal note I am delighted to be in the team and I have to just keep pushing on with that run.” 

Head coach Martin Allen has already dropped strong hints he will dip into the club's Under-18s side as he names his XI to face the Beach Boys on Saturday, and after training with the group during the week, Saville has been impressed.

He enthused: “Training this week has been really good. They are a group of good, very exciting young players and with some senior players to go alongside them it will be a very strong team. 

“With that extra experience of the older players mixed in with the skill and determination of the younger players, I think it will be a great match.”