Brentford manager Mark Warburton has praised the impact Chris Long has made since joining the Championship promotion chasers.
The England Under-20 international signed for the Bees on loan from Everton in January and has netted three times for the west London side – including a brace in their 4-1 victory against Huddersfield on Tuesday.
And following the win, Warburton revealed he had kept a close eye on the 20-year-old since his Watford Under-13s side were beaten 4-0 by Everton, with Long scoring all four.
"I tracked him all the way through his development since that day and I know what he is about," said Warburton.
Chris Long celebrates a strike for England U20s against the Netherlands
"Andre Gray has been outstanding for us, but we knew Longy would provide strong competition and today you saw that."
Long put Brentford ahead against Chris Powell’s side within four minutes, but were pegged back by Harry Bunn’s 22nd-minute strike.
Huddersfield then set about protecting what they and the home side struggled to break through a resolute defence – much as they had in the 1-0 defeat to Birmingham in their previous outing.
But a second strike from Long eventually gave the Bees the lead again, while goals from England Under-21 international Alex Pritchard and Jon Toral secured the points.
And Warburton praised his young striker’s determined display.
He said: "It was similar to Saturday at Birmingham when we played against two banks of four, but this time we upped the tempo and intensity and maintained our width and got our rewards.
England Under-21 international Alex Pritchard is also enjoying a successful loan spell with Brentford
"It showed that when we have a setback we bounce back and more importantly, that we continue to learn. I was delighted for Chris Long.
"He fits our model of young, hungry players in the mould of Adam Forshaw, Jake Bidwell, Marcello Trotta and George Saville that have been well looked after at the club."
Chris Long has represented England at five development age levels – and will be hoping to be part of Aidy Boothroyd’s England U20s to take on Mexico and USA at the end of March.
The Young Lions play Mexico at The Hive in Barnet on 25 March, before travelling south-west to Plymouth to face USA four days later.
Tickets for England v Mexico are on sale now and available here.
Ticket information for England v USA will be published in due course. Both games will be priced at £3 for adults, £1.50 concessions.
