Young centre back Zat Knight has told the Evening Standard he is enjoying an extended run in the Fulham first team – and is looking forward to facing his boyhood club Aston Villa on Sunday.

The 6ft 6in Solihull-born defender caught Jean Tigana’s eye last season and kept a clean sheet on his senior league debut at Leicester City and has made the most of an unexpected opportunity after Alain Goma got injured last month.

Knight told the Standard:

“Things have been going pretty well for me at the moment and I am enjoying it. I always said to myself that if I worked hard and did well in the reserves I would get a chance. Everyone wants to play in the Premiership and now I have got my chance I just want to keep playing. It will mean a lot to me if I can play on Sunday.

I felt I should have had a chance to play a couple of times last season and it was a bit frustrating, but I never showed it in training. The manager gives people a go when he feels they are ready.”