Bray ready for Rotherham United chance

Alex Bray in action for Rotherham reserves against Grimsby. Picture by Jim Brailsford.

The 21-year-old impressed manager Paul Warne during an initial loan spell from Premier League club Swansea, so much so that he was offered a permanent deal.

The youngster has lived mainly on a diet of youth and U23s football so far but as he approaches his 22nd birthday in July, he hopes that will soon change.

Some fans have been calling for the Welsh youngster to be getting more game time at the end of a season where relegation from the second tier is confirmed, but Bray trusts Warne to play him when the time is right.

He told the Advertiser: “It's obviously a tricky time for the team, it's been a hard season for all of us.

“I'm waiting, I'm ready, but it's the manager's decision, he knows best and hopefully when I do get a chance I'll take it.

“The manager brought me in and knows what I'm capable of and we get on quite well. He knows what I can handle on and off the pitch.

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“The two-year contract gives me time to settle in and I'll hopefully get a chance this season or even at the start of next season.”

Even though new faces will be arriving at the AESSEAL New York Stadium this summer, League One should give him a better chance of getting near a coveted starting shirt and enjoying some senior football.

“Being in the Swansea U23 team, I wanted to push and try get into a senior side,” he adds. “When the option came up to go on loan I thought this was a great opportunity to try and sign permanently or even have other clubs come in for me. I proved myself in training, played well in the reserves, and it has got me a contract which I am really thankful for.

“I'm 21 now, nearly 22, and at my age you have to push on and play adult football because U23 and reserve team football doesn't mean anything.

“I'm thankful to Paul Warne for giving me the opportunity. It's been a tough job for him but he's motivated us every game when some managers would think the season is gone. We still go out every game to do what we can for the fans.”