PHIL Parkinson admits Adam Le Fondre is training himself into the first-team reckoning.

The 31-year-old striker made a case for his inclusion at former club Cardiff City on Tuesday by scoring a scorching goal against Fulham on Saturday.

Parkinson had singled Le Fondre out in the build-up to the game and says his attitude during the week at Lostock is what got him on to the pitch at the Macron.

“Cloughy and Tyler are a bit low on match fitness but I’d said on Friday how well the lads had been training, Alfie in particular has been razor sharp,” Parkinson explained after the 1-1 draw against Fulham.

“And what a goal. I am so pleased for him because he’s been waiting for that moment to ignite his season. He could be a real bonus for us.

“The goal was built on his training ground performances this week.

“I was looking at the clock and thinking ‘he deserves a crack at it’. He suits playing at the top of the pitch with a clever, technical player behind him like Sammy (Ameobi) and I thought he looked great, not just his goal but his all-round play.”

Parkinson revealed Craig Noone is struggling to overcome a knee injury in time to face the Bluebirds, where he made 170 appearances in five years.

But the Liverpudlian is another player name-checked by the Whites boss as he praised the togetherness which has helped turn around the team’s campaign.

“It’s the professionalism of the whole group which is important to us,” he said.

“Craig Noone had a bit of a knee problem and couldn’t play against Fulham, but he has been excellent. Jem Karacan has been training great.

“That group has been driving the team on. And you are only as good as the players who are out of the team. That showed for me.”