Giles, you are most well known for your time at Derby but was actually born in Barking, London, so how did you end up in the Midlands?

I actually started at a team called Theo Tigers for only six months before Chelsea scouted me at eight years old.I stayed at Chelsea for around three years before Arsenal bought me for compensation because of my age. With being an Arsenal fan it was a dream move for me although I suppose with me being from a West Ham area you would have expected me to support them.

Then for family reasons we moved up north and with the FA introducing the rule that you at to live within certain radius of your club at my age, I had to make a decision whether to come with my family or stay in London with my aunties and grandma. I thought about it and felt I was not ready to be away from my close family.So I moved up with my parents and signed for Nottingham Forest, whom I stayed with for eighteen months before Derby signed me. It went to a tribunal but I eventually joined County.

Was it hard to leave Arsenal, when it was your team?

It was a big decision because being at the Arsenal academy meant I was training and watching players such players as Patrick Viera, Emmanual Petit and Thiery Henry train.I got free tickets to watch games at Highbury and you just become part of it all that makes you an Arsenal fan. So it was probably the hardest decision I had ever made.

Quite a few players who leave London find it hard to settle when they travel away from the capital, so was it a whole new ball game?

Yes, It was hard but at my age then I was quite adaptable and with my dream being to be a professional footballer I would persevere by any means necessary to make it happen.

You played for England U19s. What's your recollection of that time?

I played quite a few times for them at that level and if my memory serves me right we were rated no1 in the World at that age group.We had players such as Lee Cattermole, Michael Mancienne and Theo Walcott in a very good squad. Quite a few of the squad are playing in the Premier League now and we were unbeaten for a long period.

I had being playing first team football at my clubs since I was sixteen, so it was a weird one that I did not get a call up earlier as other had who were playing academy and reserve football.It was good to travel and see a whole new world of football giving me a new experience of the game. I settled into the squad because I knew quite a few of the lads already, which helped.

Most people always associate you with your time at Derby. What are your memories of that time?

I had a lot of good times at Derby, which outweigh the bad times. It was a brilliant club to be at and working with Billy Davies helped me advance a lot. Terry Westley was a great influence in my early career and I have to thank him a lot for giving me the chance.Everything was going well until I got injured and I had a pretty horrific eighteen months. I seemed to get injured then get back and get injured again, which is hard to take as a young man. I had been sailing at the top and then hit rock bottom, which was a bitter pill to swallow.

You then went from Derby to West Brom but it did not quite hit the same heights?

I actually had a period on loan at Fulham first but in the first weeks I ruptured my Achilles, which ended my loan move. I had come back from breaking my ankle and dislocating my knee; this was a hard one to take but worse was to come when I came back to Derby as I fully ruptured my Achilles! I spoke to the people at Derby and told them I had had enough really. I thought probably it was time to call it a day but them out of the blue I got a call from West Brom, which I thought over for a couple of days before signing for them.

After all this travelling around clubs and the injuries, you finally arrived at Rovers. What made you come here?

I loved the passing football that Rovers at that time were noted for and we played Rovers when we got promoted up to the Premier League at the Keepmoat Stadium. It was a tough game and I admired how they played against us. Jordan Mutch is a very good friend of mine and said this was a good club to join. I spoke to Terry Westley who is a big influence on my life and he said it would be a good move to a good club who do things the right way. I realised this would be a good team for me to get my career back on track.

You started here under Sean but now play for Dean You must have impressed Dean as he has now extended your contract?

At first it was hard getting in the side with the new manager and I think I missed the first three games. I had to prove to him that I could feature in a side that played his way. Dean explained his reasons why I was not in by saying I had to show that in a battle I could play the non pretty side of football, scrapping and battling for the points. I feel I have showed that side to him and he said there's a deal on the table because I proved to him I could do that. I'm delighted to earn the right to keep playing for Rovers and I am proud to wear the shirt.I'm here to keep Rovers up and my aim is to earn another contract, so that's down to me.

There was a bit of speculation about clubs wanting me and quite a few phone calls were made to me but I wanted to stay with Rovers as I live not too far away and I love the lads here. A big plus is that Dean is helping me develop and although I have been around a bit I am only 23 so I have lots to learn. He knows what he wants to get from me and that was a big plus to signing for more. The manager, environment and the fans made up my mind to grasp a further chance here.

You say you are only 23 but have been around so what has been the highlight of your career so far?

Playing in the Wembley Play Off Final for Derby which really sticks in my mind and I was actually playing with a broken ankle. I was wondering what all the pain was in my foot but coming on and setting up the winner was amazing so I played through the pain. Especially being part of a promoted side and getting up to the Premier League and such a young age.

Finally how do you relax away from football?

I like to chill out especially with my family and I am close to my younger brother who is at Wolves academy at the moment so try to get over and see him when I can. I try to get him to games I'm playing in too. I like to beat the lads on FIFA on Xbox and Playstation at home too plus I am learning to play the guitar.