Brentford boss Uwe Rosler says youngster Jake Reeves’ emergence is the surprise of the summer.

The 18-year-old impressed in the second-half of Tuesday’s 0-0 draw with Watford and has been a virtual ever-present during pre-season.

The development squad teenager, who has a two-year contract with the club, also featured in Friday’s 1-0 defeat of Premier League Stoke City.

And Rosler believes his current form means he is not far from landing a regular first-team starting slot at Griffin Park this season.

“Jack is the surprise of pre-season for me. He has come from nowhere really,” he said.

“When we were short of squad numbers at the start of the summer we picked out the four best development squad players and they have been with us ever since.

“They have all done very well. I’ve been very impressed. You are often surprised by some players when you come to a new club and he is one of those players.

“Jack is pushing for a starting shirt now and he is very close.”

Knee injury victim Toumani Diagouraga will see a specialist next week to determine how long he is likely to be out of action.

The Frenchman picked up the problem against Hampton & Richmond Borough last week and has already had an MRI scan.

“He is a really important part of our squad and he has done really well to get himself fit in the summer,” added Rosler.

“I don’t want to speculate on how long he might be out. I hope he is not out for long.”

The Bees have impressed with their style of passing football in an unbeaten pre-season campaign thus far.

That has included the notable scalp of Stoke, which came via Charlie MacDonald’s second-half strike.

And Rosler insists he will not abandon his footballing philosophies no matter the opponents – providing the playing surface is up to it.

He said: “The way we want to play needs a good playing surface.

“The club are investing in it all the time, but in January or February it may not be as good, so we have to make sure we have a plan B to win games.”