Gray determined to take his chance at Fulham

The one-time Barnsley player has taken a role as senior coach at Craven Cottage and will be in charge for Saturday’s derby against Brentford.

The Fulham board is continuing its search for a permanent replacement for Kit Symons, who was sacked last month.

But Symons landed the post after a successful spell as caretaker boss, so Gray knows the job is his to lose and that with a few decent results, he could be asked to take the permanent role.

“I’ve been asked that about seven times in my career,” he said.

“My knowledge and experience of the Championship is why I’ve been brought in, to give them a bit of time to find the right guy to come in. My brief is just to focus game to game.

“I only lost my job at Sheffield Wednesday six months ago so I have hopes of getting back and being number one - at the moment I am, so I suppose I am the front-runner.”

Fulham are currently a lowly 16th in the Championship but are still only seven points adrift of the play-offs.

“The aim is to get into the top six,” added Gray.

“It’s a fresh start for everyone and there are enough points to play for.”