Craig Shakespeare believes Demarai Gray can follow in the footsteps of Cristiano Ronaldo and accumulate better statistics once his contract situation is resolved.

Gray's ability to finish has been called into question, having only managed three goals in 61 appearances.

But Shakespeare was quick to note that Ronaldo faced similar scrutiny when he first arrived at Manchester United from Sporting Lisbon, having scored just twice in his first seven months in England.

"Remember Cristiano Ronaldo?" Shakespeare said. "When he first came here, people used to criticise him for the same things. With a run of games and experience, that will come.

"If the opposition put two defenders against you and you're trying to beat them all the time, then you have to find another solution. That's what football is all about, finding the right solution for that given moment.

"The contract is in the final instalments, his advisers are talking with our director of football and I'm excepting that to be completed sooner rather than later.

"I think it's important we show a statement of intent that we intend to keep all our players. It's well documented we had bids for Demarai. We didn't want to sell him, we want to build the club with players of his ilk.

"He's shown a real desire now to want to stay and progress his career with this club. It's important we now tie that one up and concentrate purely on his football."