Wayne Brown delighted to have a more central role at Bristol Rovers

WAYNE Brown is pleased to be finally getting a chance to stake his claim for a central role in Bristol Rovers' midfield.

The former Fulham man has yet to establish himself as a regular fixture in the Rovers side since arriving from Craven Cottage two years ago due to a nine-month lay-off with injuries and a succession of different managers following the departure of Paul Trollope in December 2010.

A broken ankle put paid to Brown's prospects of fighting his way into the side last season and the midfielder only managed a handful of appearances under Mark McGhee before his initial contract expired at the end of the campaign.

McGhee only offered Brown a short-term contract until December to give him an opportunity to prove he was worthy of a longer-term deal, but the manager confirmed after Saturday's abandoned game at Wycombe Wanderers that he plans to open talks over an extension with the midfielder.

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"I was happy to accept the short-term deal that I was offered in the summer," said Brown. "I'd had a long injury lay-off and the manager had not really seen that much of me, so it was understandable.

"I came back to training after the summer knowing that it was a big few months for me and my future at Bristol Rovers.

"I've just tried to work as hard as I possibly could over the pre-season period and I'm delighted I have managed to start three of the games since the start of the season.

"I've also been pleased to play in my favoured position of central midfield and I've been generally happy with my performances."

Brown was recalled to the side for Saturday's game against Wycombe Wanderers at Adams Park after starting the previous match at Barnet on the bench, as McGhee set his stall out with safety in mind at Underhill.

The midfielder was one of many Rovers players to turn in an impressive display as McGhee's side carved out a 3-1 lead before the game was cut short in controversial circumstances in the 68th minute. Claims that lightening had hit the back of the stand during a torrential downpour meant Rovers were not rewarded for their efforts, and Brown said: "We were really frustrated. We put in a good shift and we fully deserved to win the game.

"The decision to call it off was out of our hands, however, and it is just one of those things.

"We have to accept it and just make sure that we go back there and do the same sort of job when the game is rearranged.

"The performance does give us a lot of confidence. Wycombe have just come down from League One and are a good side. I think we're starting to understand what sort of level we need to be at to win games regularly in this league."

Eliot Richards, meanwhile, will have his first-half brace chalked off because of the abandonment, and Brown said: "It was gutting for Elliot because it has been a bit frustrating for him lately.

"He scored two cracking goals and it's just a shame they won't count, but he will still be delighted with the way he played because he was unbelievable for us."