Sullay Kaikai was rewarded with a start at Blackburn because of how well he has performed on the training ground, Dean Smith has revealed.
The winger, on loan at Brentford from Crystal Palace, has been a regular on the subs bench in recent weeks.
However, his form at the Bees' Jersey Road training base forced him into Smith's plans and he was rewarded with a start at Blackburn.
The Brentford head coach said: “He's been working unbelievably hard in training and has been the top trainer for the last three weeks.
“The difference between League One and the Championship is marked. He's had to comes to terms with it – there are people stronger and quicker.
“He's standing out a bit at the moment and I think he'll be a massive success for us.”
Kaikai has, up until now, battled to deal with the step up between League One and the Championship but Smith believes that also comes from his position.
He added: “That can be positional as well in regarding to where you're playing Sullay and Romaine can become targeted.
“John is expected to go and win his aerial battles. Dan is the last line of defence and there is no hiding place for him.”
