AFTER impressing greatly during his first season with the youth team, the Wordsley-born youngster earned International recognition with Wales and a regular place in the reserve team before being handed his first-team debut in the final game of the 2004/05 season.

A hard-working, box-to-box player who has a good engine and a fine range of passing, he has the ability to arrive in the box late to score his fair share of goals.

He went on to enjoy a solid 2005/06 campaign in which he skippered the youth team whilst also turning out regularly for the second-string and making a handful of first-team outings.

Also used as a central defender for the reserves during recent seasons and in the right-back slot for the Welsh youngsters, his performances have displayed maturity beyond his tender years.

Signed his first professional contract in the summer of 2006 and whilst he only made one substitute appearance in 2006/07, he remained highly thought of by the management team.

The Welsh Under-21 International signed a one-year deal in May 2007 and really emerged as a key member of the midfield during the 2007/08 campaign, establishing a regular place in the heart of the side and winning many plaudits, including the Young Player of the Season award.