Academy Manager praises young forward after he fought his way back on to the international stage
Derby County’s Academy Manager Darren Wassall has hailed the progress of young striker Kwame Thomas.
Thomas signed professional terms during the summer to step up to Derby’s Under 21 squad after two years as a scholar.
He has led the line for Lee Glover’s Under 21s for the majority of the season and weighed in with three goals.
His performances in the early weeks of the season lead to a call-up to the England Under 20 squad back in August, and he has grasped the opportunity to impress on the international stage.
The young forward recently featured as a substitute in the under 20s’ two international friendlies in the past week – a 2-2 draw with Canada and a penalty shoot out victory over Portugal.
Thomas has also been an unused substitute for Derby’s first-team on two occasions so far this season, away to Blackburn Rovers in September and then Fulham in the Capital One Cup last month.
Wassall says he is delighted to see the forward back on the international stage, after initially breaking through at Under 17 level.
Wassall told www.dcfc.co.uk: “I think the most pleasing call-up in terms of the internationals from the Under 18s and Under 21s at the moment is Kwame.
“Max Lowe (England U18s) and Sam Dryden (Scotland U19s) have been established in recent squads whereas Kwame has fought his way back into the frame.
“He burst onto the scene at Under 17 level with England but then had, I guess, what you would describe as a barren spell with regards to internationals.
“It isn’t a bad thing, though, and he has shown that, just because you aren’t picked for the Under 18s and Under 19s, doesn’t mean it’s the end of the world.
“Playing regular for our Under 21 side has given him the platform to be recognised again at international level and by all accounts he is doing very well.
Wassall, who managed Thomas during his two years as a scholar, believes the frontman is benefitting from his hard work on the training ground.
He said: “It has been with the first-team a few times and that’s fantastic for him.
“He is a good example for any young player that there is no substitute for hard work and commitment.
“When things haven’t gone his way, say for example not featuring on the international scene for a few years, he hasn’t let his head drop.
“He has kept plugging away and continued to work at his game both technically and tactically, and he has improved.
“Physically he is a strong specimen and he’s worked on that side of his game too.
“His commitment is being rewarded and he is a model professional, gets on with it and he needs to stay on the path he’s on right now.”