Parker challenges Joe Bryan to prove qualified for Premier League

defender

Joe Bryan

is prepared for his first

outing since October when his side is set to face

on Wednesday as Antonee Robinson is suspended.

Bryan started the season as Fulham’s first-choice left-back, but failed to deliver given his poor display in four defeats. According to

Scott parker

, the 27-year-old was “instrumental” in sealing last campaign’s promotion from the Sky Bet Championship, as well as finding the target twice in the play-off final victory over Brentford. Parker is confident Bryan can take the opportunity handed to him following Robinson’s red card in the loss against

on Saturday.

“

I am sure it has been very, very difficult for Joe. Last year he was fantastic for us,

” Parker said.

“

He started the season and had that shirt and I think Joe would be the first to say he probably didn’t really grab the opportunity with both hands and at that point Antonee Robinson has come in the team and he’s just had to sit behind someone who has done remarkably well.

“I know for sure he has the quality and the capability to grab that opportunity and that’s what he needs to do because it has been tough.

“He was instrumental for what we did last year and the (play-off) final was just a snapshot of that really.

“He gets his chance now again to come into this team and show his quality and show the Premier League how good he is.”

Fulham are sitting 18th on the Premier League table, struggling their way up the relegation zone as they get ready to face second-placed Manchester United. Bryan can only play 12 minutes of the top-flight game from five substitute features after being chosen to begin the 1-0 loss at Wolves three months ago.

“

I am fortunate enough to have two left-backs here that both have brilliant quality,”

he said

.

“We’ve all been accustomed to seeing Joe’s quality in the sense of his technical quality, his delivery of a ball, his classy set-plays, he can score goals, you can play him higher up the pitch.

“Is he a lot different to Antonee Robinson? Maybe the only difference I see is Antonee has more running power with the ball, gets you up the pitch a little bit more. But certainly, Joe brings his quality with the ball.

“This is a big opportunity.”

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