ALAN Knill has challenged Domaine Rouse to realise his undoubted potential.

The 20-year-old striker has had a stop-start career at Gigg Lane after coming through the club’s youth ranks, but he has impressed in the early stages of the new campaign.

He made his full debut for the club in Tuesday night’s 3-1 defeat of Hereford and his performance suggests he has a bright future ahead — as long as he keeps his focus.

Bury boss Knill has admitted he was in two minds whether to keep Rouse over the summer, but he is pleased with the way the youngster has reacted since returning to pre-season training.

“Domaine has done very well and has had an impact when he has come into the team,” said Knill. “Everybody knows in the football club that we have had some trouble with him, but that has only been inflicted by himself.

“We had a chat last year and we were so close to cutting our losses and not wasting our time but there is something about him I really like.

“When he came back for pre-season training he was in the top group for running and he has looked sharp and bright. When he has got on the pitch he hasn’t been unreliable which he has been in the past.”

Knill does not want Rouse to rest on his laurels and has warned him that the hard work is only just beginning.

“It’s tough being a footballer and you have to put in the hard yards if you want a career,” said Knill. “It doesn’t come naturally, whoever you are.

“You can be David Beckham or Wayne Rooney but you have to put in the hard work and Domaine has done that recently and he is starting to be rewarded.

“The harder you train, the more results you get. He needs to take responsibility for himself and his actions, and he is trying his best to do that.”

Rouse partnered Ryan Lowe on Tuesday night, and the former Chester forward believes his young colleague has the ability to succeed in the game.

“He has got an unbelievable talent,” said Lowe. “He is raw, in a good way, and I have seen players like that at Crewe that have come in and moved on.

“Nicky Maynard, for example, was raw when he came through but he is playing in the Championship now and was sold for £2.25m. I’m not saying Domaine will do that, but he has got a talent and he proved that against Hereford when he came in and held his own against experienced defenders.”