Fulham academy coach Kit Symons feels Marcello Trotta is not far away from the first team call.

Swiss whiz Kerim Frei is already catching the eye this season.

"Reaching the First Team is what it's all about," Symons told fulhamfc.com. "Kerim could still be playing for the U18s but obviously we haven't seen him this season because he's moved up to the Reserves and First Team, which is fabulous.

"I don't think Marcello Trotta is that far away and we want them to be pushing on. As a youth coach you take enormous satisfaction from seeing the boys reaching the First Team.

"We try and get the players to a level that we feel they'll be able to play in the First Team and then it's at the Manager's discretion whether he chooses to play them or not. It gives the Manager a choice and hopefully we can send players up that will be good enough to play in his team."