In his three games since signing from Sunderland, Gray has forged a solid partnership down the left with Irish midfielder Douglas, who is enjoying his first extended run in the first team.

With youngsters Jonathan Stead and Paul Gallagher grabbing the goals and the headlines, academy graduate Douglas has quietly slotted in and started the last five Premiership games.

And Gray has described the 22-year-old's contribution as "nothing short of amazing".

He said: "In the three games I've been here he's been fantastic for me, the partnership between us on the left is going great.

"With him playing in front of me I speak to him a lot on the left hand side and that's not his position.

"The work rate he puts in might go unseen by the fans and other people, but the job he has done in the last three weeks has been nothing short of amazing.

"He runs his socks off and full credit to him, he's learning the game and learning it in the right way. He's come in and given 100 per cent and that's all you can ask.

"I like to go forward and I know Jonathan will be filling in behind. It gives me the freedom to get forward and use my left foot.

"If it happens the other way round and he goes forward I can hold play up until he gets back in.

"But the rest of the team is clicking and we're looking great all over the pitch at the moment."

Douglas is finding his feet in the Premiership after previously making only one appearance in four seasons as a professional.

Last season he had a spell at Chesterfield and played seven games, scoring his first league goal on the final day against Blackpool, who he also joined on loan earlier in the current campaign.