The discovery of Chris Martin as a genuine first team star was one of the few highlights of a miserable campaign last season. But Peter Grant has warned the teenager that it's not all wine and roses.

By CHRIS LAKEY

The discovery of Chris Martin as a genuine first team star was one of the few highlights of a miserable campaign last season.

But Peter Grant has warned the teenager that it's not all wine and roses.

The City manager gave Martin his debut in January after losing Robert Earnshaw - and the Beccles youngster was just about an instant sensation.

Having got his feet under the table, a flurry of goals and rumours of interest from above in the form of Manchester United followed.

Martin will face increased competition for a place this season, but Grant believes if his allies his natural ability to commitment to his career, he can go all the way.

“He still has a lot of work to do,” said Grant. “There are things that are mature in his game as we know and we don't doubt his ability.

“There are other things in his game that he knows he has to improve on and probably that improvement comes every day.

“He has to live his life as a professional and work hard like a professional every day - he has got to understand that you are judged on your training as well as your play. Once he understands all those things he will progress, there is no doubt of that, he has got the talent.”

The footballing world is full of players who have failed to fulfil their early potential, and Grant is hoping his young charge takes the right road.

“I have seen a million people with talent and they don't do anything, so talent is definitely not enough in the game,” Grant added. “You can have talent, but you have got to have the work ethic that goes along with it and that is an every day thing.

“He has got the tools, it's just a matter of maintaining them and working hard to make them better. He has the opportunity to have a long career if he can do that.”