CHARLTON man-of-the-moment Jerome Thomas has been rejuvenated since breaking into the first team this season, manager Alan Curbishley has disclosed.

The 21-year-old midfielder capped a sparkling performance by filling the role of goalmaker and goalscorer with his first in the Premiership as Charlton won for the first time on the road this season at Tottenham on Saturday.

His cross created the first of Shaun Bartlett’s two goals in the 16th minute before adding Charlton’s third in the 49th.

Yet Thomas arrived at The Valley unheralded from Arsenal in a £100,00 deal in February following two spells on loan with Queens Park Rangers.

He was handed his full debut in the Carling Cup defeat by Crystal Palace and kept his place for the Premier League clash against Middlesbrough four days later.

Having thrust himself into contention, the youngster has heaped pressure on big-money summer signing Dennis Rommedahl who is out through a back injury.

Curbishley said: “When we signed Jerome I think it’s fair to say that it went unnoticed. He came to us disillusioned and I didn’t think he was at his fittest. He crept into the squad near the end of last season, made his debut against Leicester and got injured.

“He didn’t do himself justice and we brought in a few players during the summer. But he reported back for pre-season determined to give it his best shot, because where was he going from us?

“He’s got himself fit, he’s got himself mentally right and he’s given us a lift these last three games."

Thomas looks certain to keep his place for Saturday’s home game against Norwich.