Fulham manager Slavisa Jokanovic said Emerson Hyndman is worthy of more playing time after the U.S. international scored a late winner on his birthday against Cardiff on Saturday.
Deep into stoppage time, Cardiff failed to clear the ball following a corner kick and Hyndman finished off a scramble in the visitors' penalty area as Fulham won 2-1.
The goal was Hyndman's first of the season in just his seventh start, and Jokanovic said he regretted not getting Hyndman into more games.
"Today is his birthday. It's a great present for himself and for all of us in the last moment of the game," the manager said of the American.
"He's probably one of the more talented players. I am little bit disappointed with myself that I haven't found more minutes for him this season.
"He probably needs to be a little bit stronger for the Championship. But he's a young guy and he will be a very good footballer for us."
Wow what a feeling. Great effort from the boys today to get the 3 points! Not a bad birthday present... pic.twitter.com/iDwXtJAd8H
- Emerson Hyndman (@emersonhyndman) April 9, 2016
Hyndman, who turned 20 on Saturday, was the U.S. captain at the Under-20 World Cup last year and also featured for the under-23 team that failed to qualify for the Olympics last month.
He made his only appearance for the U.S. senior team in 2014.