WELSH warrior Lee Fowler is itching to make more big headlines for the right reasons next season.

The play-off winning midfielder is celebrating his 21st birthday today on holiday in St Lucia, still basking in the glory of his penalty shoot-out decider against Mansfield in Cardiff just a week and a half ago.

Fowler is now fully settled in Huddersfield after a start to his Town career ruined by disciplinary problems following his transfer from Coventry City.

And having undergone both ankle and hernia operations just weeks before his big moment in his home city, Fowler is aiming to be fully fit to make an impact for Peter Jackson in the tough Second Division.

"Lee needs to work hard on his fitness in pre-season - very hard - but he knows that fact and wants to do well," said manager Peter Jackson.

"He really is right back on track after a few problems following his move from Coventry and he's a popular member of the squad.

"It's fair to say Lee didn't really settle when he first came. For someone who was getting rave reviews in the Premiership at 16 he suddenly found himself at 20 just kicking about suspended, and he couldn't really get to grips.

"I think over the last few months, though, that he realises he is at an excellent club where people care about him, and he is a lad who needs to feel wanted and loved."

Jackson believes Fowler was carrying injuries when he left Highfield Road and that now the problems are sorted, McAlpine fans will see the best of the Welsh Under 21 cap.

"Lee can make passes that no-one else in our squad can pick and he's got the ability to open up any defence," said Jackson.

"I'm sure he's been hampered by injuries all the way through and, now that he's okay again, a good 12 months feeling fully fit will do him the world of good.

"I know he's looking forward to the start of next season already and he's a great character to have around the place.

"If anyone isn't pulling their weight then he's always first to let them know and, in turn, I'm always on his back when I think he's not doing things as he should.

"I think he's really enjoying himself with us now and that was a magical moment for him when he slotted the winning penalty at the Millennium Stadium.

"He has been taking stick all year from the lads for never scoring a goal and then he goes and scores one of the most important he's every likely to score.

"I know he'll come back still boosted by that and I like him a lot. No sooner had the final finished than he rushed outside to see his family and, while he was there, bought me the biggest bottle of Moet you've ever seen.

"When he came back into the dressing room - they wouldn't let him back into the stadium to start with - he handed it over and said `thanks gaffer, you deserve it.'

"It was a nice touch and it shows what sort of lad he is."