Jay Stansfield to determined to make the most of another opportunity to impress when Fulham take on Leeds in the League Cup tomorrow night.
The teenage striker scored a stunning goal on his first senior start for the Whites in the second round against Birmingham City and was namechecked by head coach Marco Silva in the aftermath of the defeat by Reading as a ‘fantastic’ talent. With Rodrigo Muniz picking up an injury at the weekend, Stansfield is in line to feature up front against Premier League opposition at Craven Cottage.
He told FFCTV:
“I’m buzzing obviously. It’s a chance that I can go out and prove what I can do again. These chances don’t come along very often; so when they come, I have to take the chance and hopefully we can get a result and go into the next round and carry on.
Stansfield says the superb strike at St. Andrew’s gives him plenty of confidence as he approaches another chance to shine in the senior set up.
I obviously won’t be greedy and if there’s someone else in a better position, I’ll obviously use that, but if there’s a chance for me to shoot and get another goal, I’m going to take that chance.”
The former Exeter City forward believes the future is bright for Fulham’s young talents, with a number pushing for regular gametime in Silva’s squad.
“It’s good. There’s obviously a couple of us that are breaking into the first team, coming up from the academy and training with them all day, every day. The pathway is looking bright at the moment with the players that are around the academy and coming up to the first team. I think we just need to keep working hard. It’s been shown that the chances will come, so when the lads get the chance, you just have to take it.”
Stansfield certainly isn’t underestimating the gravity of the challenge that Fulham will face against Marcelo Bielsa’s side but believes the Whites could spring a surprise.
“It’s going to be a tough game. We’re all excited and ready for the fight. We’ve had plenty of time, we’re properly prepared and we’re ready.”
