BLACKBURN Rovers defender Michael Gray has admitted even he's surprised' by the way he has managed to turn his career around over the last 12 months.

This time last year, Gray appeared to be heading for the exit door at Ewood Park after failing to impress Rovers manager Mark Hughes.

Hughes was ready to let the 31-year-old full-back join Leeds United on a free transfer last summer, only for the move to collapse when the Championship club were scared off by the player's personal demands.

But as one door shut, another one then opened for the former England international as an injury to Dominic Matteo led to Gray getting a second chance at Blackburn and he hasn't looked back since, successfully re-establishing himself as a regular in a Rovers team that secured a top-six finish and a place in next season's UEFA Cup.

Gray was subsequently offered a new two-year deal as a reward for some consistent performances and he was delighted to sign it last week, completing a remarkable turnaround in his fortunes.

"It was a big surprise for me," said Gray, who's now contracted to the club until the summer of 2008.

"At one point, I thought the door was open for me to leave the club.

"It just shows you what you can achieve with a lot of hard work and true grit.

"You've just got to stick in there and then when your chance comes along, make sure you take it.

"I was really, really pleased with how last season went. I got my chance in a cup competition (against Huddersfield), then I got thrown into the lion's den against Manchester United and never really looked back after that."

With Gray's future now resolved, the defender is relishing the chance to play in Europe next season.

He added: "The place is buzzing at the moment. We had a tremendous season (last season) and we're only going to try and take things forward next season, and I want to be part of that."