Blues boss Kieran McKenna says young keeper Henry Gray is developing well and growing into the first-team group, the New Zealand U20 international having signed a new contract earlier in the week.

Gray, 19, joined Town last summer from New Zealand Central League side Waterside Karori following a trial at the end of the previous campaign. He was previously with A-League club Wellington Phoenix’s reserves.

“He's a good goalkeeper and he's grown into the group,” McKenna said. “Cieran Slicker has got a little injury at the moment, so he's going to be out for a few weeks with a hand injury.

“Irrespective of that, Henry's been training with a group a lot lately and he's really adapting to the level.

“And, of course, now Cieran being out for a few weeks, he's got an even more prominent role.

“He’s developing well and [head of goalkeeping] Rene [Gilmartin]’s happy with him and I think the goalkeeping department's in a good place.”

Gray spent time training with the All Whites senior side in October last year and during the summer was an alternate for the New Zealand squad at the Paris Olympics but without being called upon.

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