Young Fulham defender Zesh Rehman is hoping to break into Chris Coleman’s first-team squad this season.

The youngster had showed his versatility for the reserves last season, playing at right back, in the heart of the back four and then excellently in central midfield, before a metatarsal injury ended his campaign early.

“It was very frustrating. I was playing well then out of nowhere I got injured – but that’s part of the game. I’ve got to bounce back for next season. I was running along when I felt a crack on the side of my foot. The next day I had an x-ray and found out that it was a stress fracture. I received a challenge later on during the game but I don’t know if that made it worse. Initially they thought that I would be back within two to three months, but because it’s the bone on the outside the foot you have to wait until it’s one hundred percent solid. I’ve got the hard part out of the way, being on crutches and wearing the airboot. I’m now hoping to be fit for the new season.”

“My main aims were to fully establish myself in the Under-19s then look to get a place in the reserves. After around ten games at under-19 level I moved up to the reserve team – so I was very happy with that. Some of the players in the reserves had first team experience; it was a bit more physical and it much quicker so you don’t have as much time to make decisions. I was playing in defence for the under-19s but I played at centre back, rightback and central midfield for the reserves. My natural position is in the centre of defence but I don’t mind playing in the other positions if I’m helping out the team.

I just want to get back to full fitness and we’ll see what happens from there. There’s only a certain amount that I can do, the rest is out of my hands. Steve Kean’s worked with us for three years so he knows about every player at academy level. But that doesn’t mean that we’ll be able to walk into the team, we’ve still got to be able to do the business on the pitch.”