TIPPED for the Premier League, Farrend Rawson is keeping himself grounded after joining Forest Green from Derby County on an 18-month deal.

'Faz', 21, was on loan with Accrington Stanley for the first half of this season, playing twelve times.

During an earlier loan spell with then Championship outfit Rotherham United, the centre-back was lauded by Steve Evans and Neil Redfern as a Premier League star in the making, but Rawson is firmly focused on saving Rovers from the drop and pushing the club on.

Last season he made 12 appearances in League One for Coventry, which followed two loan spells with Rotherham in the Championship.

Rawson told FGR Media: “The manager was really positive and excited about bringing me in, saying it was a good opportunity for me to come in and show people what I’m about,” said the 6ft 3ins defender.

“The way this club is pushing, I don’t think the league table is doing them any justice but I think it’s a massive club and it’s pushing towards where I want to be going as well.

“When we played them earlier in the season it was a really tough game and it was surprising given where they were in the league.

“If I’m being honest, they blew us all away and they were one of the best teams we have played. At the time, we were flying and they limited us to a couple of chances.

“After playing against them, hearing the thoughts of the manager and the owner and the aspirations for the club going forward, it was a no- brainer.”

Watch Rawson speak to Ash Loveridge, and BBC Radio Gloucestershire's Paul Furley at today's press conference.