What was the first replica strip you bought?
It was my Blackburn Rovers strip.
What was the first pair of boots you wore?
A pair of Umbros that Alan Shearer wore.
As a young player with a good reputation how big a step up do you believe it is from League One to the Premier League, and what do you need to get there?
It's a massive step up in terms of speed, agility and the pace of the game, even from the Championship I think it's a huge jump. Defenders are much cleverer in the Premier League, so its much harder to break teams down. Speed of thought is really important in the Prem - if you make any mistakes you get punished! I think for me to get there I've got to be consistent in my training, keep putting in the hard graft and just try and improve in every area, practicing everything; passing, shooting, defending and learning from the older heads around me
Biggest influence on your career?
My parents, they have been the biggest support and I couldn't have asked for more. They were constantly shipping me back and forth to training sessions when I was younger, and doing the same with my brother - he's now playing professionally at Stockport - so they split all their time between the two of us.
