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Sky Bet Championship: Mark Warburton impressed by Jack Bonham progress at Brentford

Jack Bonham of Brentford
Image: Jack Bonham: Keeping Richard Lee out of the Brentford squad

Brentford manager Mark Warburton has hailed the progress of Jack Bonham in establishing himself as the back-up goalkeeper at Griffin Park.

Bonham hit the headlines for all the wrong reasons on the final day of the 2012-13 season, when injuries to Manuel Almunia and Jonathan Bond saw him handed a surprise debut against Leeds.

Then still a teenager, Bonham was at fault for both Leeds goals in a defeat which cost Watford automatic promotion.

Life at Brentford also got off to an inauspicious start with a 5-0 thrashing at Derby followed by an appearance in a 4-0 defeat by Bradford.

But Bonham is now keeping the experienced Richard Lee out of the squad as back-up to regular number one David Button.

"Richard's been injured, he had a shoulder situation, and Jack Bonham has been outstanding in training," said Warburton.

"Jack's currently the number two. He has worked so hard and when you work hard you deserve your opportunity.

"Jack's had a tough education, if you think back to what happened at Watford in terms of everything that game stood for. He came on at Bradford when David Button was sent off, and he went to Derby in the League Cup when we went very young and they were very strong.

"He's been thrown in front of the firing squad a few times and emerged stronger for it. He's a good character, he's only 20, and I'm really impressed with him."

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