'He's got the hunger' - Cech backs youngster Vitek

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Legendary former Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech has hailed the progress of fellow countryman and Manchester United goalkeeper Radek Vitek and urged the youngster to ensure he carries on playing next season.

Vitek, 22, had an outstanding campaign on loan at Bristol City, scooping the player of the year, young player of the year and players' player of the year prizes.

Now he needs to find out United's plans for him.

Just before joining Bristol City, Vitek signed a new contract at Old Trafford committing him to the club until 2028.

That was before Senne Lammens came in from Royal Antwerp to make the number one spot his own.

Vitek has already made it clear he has no interest in sitting on the bench anywhere after two and a half seasons of playing regularly and the Czech Republic's best ever goalkeeper feels that is key to his progress.

"It's important to play," Cech told BBC Sport. "Of course, there are situations when sometimes you know that you have a big chance to come back and fight for your position. That's a different thing.

"But as it stands at United, Lammens has done really well. I'm sure he [Vitek] will want to go somewhere and continue playing.

"It's great to see him progress because playing for the under-21s with United is one thing, but then he played men's football in Austria, which went really well for him, then he came back to England with Bristol City and did well there.