Filipino international Neil Etheridge returned to the first team of Fulham FC this month, boosting hopes of the Azkals goalkeeper of finally making his debut in the English Premiere League.

The 20-year-old Etheridge was on the bench Tuesday as Fulham scored a 3-0 home win over West Bromwich Albion, 3-0, in Craven Cottage in London.

The victory propelled Fulham to 13th place, five rungs above the relegation zone. The three lowest-ranked clubs after the season will be demoted to England’s second-tier league.

The Azkals goalkeeper moved up to the first team after Fulham’s first-choice keeper Mark Schwarzer took a leave from the club to see action for Australia in the AFC Asian Cup in Doha, Qatar.

But Etheridge remains back-up to David Stockdale, who has vast experience in England’s second and third-tier leagues and suited up for the Cottagers early in the season when Schwarzer was injured.

“The next few years will be important for me playing in England and I would like a loan move somewhere, but my main priority is to complete signing a new long-term contract with Fulham,” Etheridge told the Inquirer.

Etheridge, whose string of impressive performances proved instrumental in the Philippines’ surprising run to the semifinals in the AFF Suzuki Cup last month, hopes to be back in the Philippines next month as the Azkals battle Mongolia in an AFC Challenge Cup qualifying match.

The Azkals will play Mongolia on Feb. 9 at the Panaad Stadium in Bacolod City.