After switching from the Central Coast Mariners to Sydney FC for the 2010-11 National Youth Competition [NYC] season, Sherlock is now on the verge of making his long awaited A-League debut.

“Obviously I moved on and the chance for a new start is something I think I needed and it’s something that has paid off,” he said.

“I’m really enjoying my time playing with Sydney.

“I played with [the first grade side] a lot in the pre-season. It’s obviously in the back of my mind, but the only thing I can do at the moment is just turn up and do my job.

“Long-term it’s [A-League] the goal. But I just have to concentrate on training and then our next game and do it all again the following week.

“But whatever happens, happens.”

Sherlock injured his hamstring in a simple training drill which saw the 20-year-old sidelined for six-and-a-half weeks.

He returned to the pitch for his side’s 3-1 loss at the hands of the Gold Coast last weekend.

“I played 60 minutes and felt pretty good,” he said.

“Obviously I lacked a bit of match fitness, but that’ll come with more game time.”

Sherlock has been handed the captaincy of his Sydney FC side for this season, helping the Sky Blues to an upset 2-1 win over the high-flying Brisbane Roar in Wollongong on Saturday.

It’s a role which has seen him improve as a player.

“Definitely. I always enjoy the [captaincy] role. Obviously with [Sydney FC NYC coach] Steve Corica here, he captained Sydney FC not only to the finals but to the grand final last season, he has helped me a lot,” the defender said.

“It’s something I really relish doing.”

Sydney FC’s NYC team have struggled this season, winning just three games from 10 starts to sit second last on the 2010-11 ladder.

Personally Sherlock said his form has been pleasing and more wins aren’t far away.

“I don’t think we’re struggling, the only thing for us at the moment is results-wise. The last four or five weeks, football-wise we’ve dominated a lot of phases,” he said.

“In Perth we dominated for 85 minutes and they had one shot and they took advantage of it. There have been a couple of games like that where we’ve had the three points snatched from us.”

Sherlock will enjoy a short break over Christmas before heading back to Sydney to take on the AIS in the new year.