I need to work hard to keep my place, says Burnley striker Andre Gray

Burnley’s Andre Gray has confessed his frustration at his recent lack of first team minutes, but has vowed to work harder than ever to keep his place in the side.

Striker Gray had been restricted to a string of substitute appearances since returning from a four-game ban for a sequence of homophobic tweets he posted as a non-league player as far back as 2012, but returned for his side’s defeat at Stoke City last Saturday.

And Gray is philosophical about his period away from the starting eleven.

“The boys have been doing well so I can’t really complain too much,” he said.

Photo by James Baylis – AMA/WBA FC via Getty Images

“It’s frustrating because I want to play and that’s the first time I’ve been in that situation.

“It’s a lesson learned and I’ve just got to keep working hard.

“I’ve just had to keep my head down and work hard. It’s a matter of taking your chance when it comes.”

“The gaffer is going to change formation, people will come in and people will come out.

“It’s not like the Championship last year when we were high and flying and winning every game. You’ve just got to keep your head and keep working hard.

“I’ve learned a lot. Obviously I had that ban so I’ve not played as much as I had hoped this season.”