Brentford boss Uwe Rosler says Harry Forrester must work harder if he is to fulfil his potential.
The 21-year-old was snapped up from Aston Villa last summer but has struggled to gain a first-team place, largely because of concerns over his fitness.
He has made only six starts this season and is yet to score his first goal for the club.
But Rosler believes that if Forrester can improve his physical condition he will be an essential player for the Bees next season.
“I said to Harry recently that I expect him to come back from holiday and get into the top six in the ‘bleep test’,” Rosler explained.
“If he achieves this he will have a good season because he is such a talent. If he finishes 21st like last summer then it will be difficult for him.
“He needs to improve his fitness and general condition so he can take more games and take more on the training field.
“We have played him a number of times, but he played one or two games and then was out for 10 days or so because he never got into the rhythm of the team, nor gained the fitness required to play 90 minutes.”
The German added: “He has the right mindset – he needs a bit of help and guidance but we will get him there.
“Harry is very ambitious but sometimes impatient. As long as he understands that you have to earn the right to play – and that means be extremely fit to play football these days – then he has a great future ahead of him.”
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This post was last modified on 05/05/2012