PREMIERSHIP player of the month Jonny May has hailed 'mentor' Bryan Redpath for guiding him from rookie to Kingsholm regular.

The 21-year-old speed king has not only forced his way into regular Cherry and Whites reckoning this term but also England Saxons selection.

The Swindon-born pace ace said he was proud to pick up the player of the month award – but vowed not to let accolades or attention go to his head.

The hard-working wideman admitted at times last term he felt frustrated that Gloucester boss Redpath was holding him back.

But in hindsight he now realises what the Kingsholm head coach was doing – lifting pressure off his shoulders and allowing the young man to develop at a natural rate.

And May has now backed Gloucester's savvy coaching team to help the next generation of talented young guns fire right through into regular first-team action in the next two seasons.

Gloucester host Northampton in the Premiership return on Saturday (kick-off 2.15pm) in a match May admits the home side must win to keep their top-four play-off hopes alive.

May blasted in two tries in last season's stunning 18-16 February victory at Franklin's Gardens – and was then overlooked for the following week's local derby against Bath at Kingsholm.

The jet-heeled wing admitted frustrations at the time have since given way to greater appreciation and respect for Redpath and his assistant Carl Hogg.

May explained: "Brushy and Hoggy have done great jobs with all of us in the past – they don't want to expose us to too much too soon and put them out four weekends in a row or anything.

"For example last year I played against Northampton and felt I had a great game, but then didn't play the next week, just because Brushy said, 'You had a great game, go away, work hard, keep training hard and you'll get another chance.'

"And it's really been this season that he's trusted me to go out week-in, week-out.

"Last year I was frustrated, but I can see what he's done now and I'm grateful for that and he's mentored us very well, and he'll do the same for the young guys coming through now.

"I definitely feel I'm a better player because of that.

"It's massive pressure to chuck on a youngster who hasn't played many games just to throw them in and expect them to do the job every week.

"It's a tough ask, physically and mentally, so guys like Clarkey (Ian Clark) will be feeling on top of the world after last weekend, but they'll get back into things with Hartpury and just keep plugging away.

"It gives them a bit of breathing space and the chance to appreciate what they have achieved.

"I like to think I'm still learning something every game, and the senior players and the management make sure we learn things every week.

"As a team we've grown, our performances are starting to come and to be a bit more fluent and more often, as opposed to the beginning of the season there would be spells and hits and misses.

"We haven't been consistent this season, but we definitely know we're capable of producing the goods. So now we've got to build momentum, get that performance right each week and press for that top four towards the end of the season."

May admits elevation to the Saxons and winning national awards all feels seriously surreal – but the humbled Gloucester Academy graduate vowed to take it all in his stride.

May said youngsters like Clark, Dan Robson and Ryan Mills will all benefit from the tutelage of Redpath and Hogg.

He continued: "It does feel surreal but it's a big bonus. I'm really grateful to accept and I'm really pleased to have won.

"But I'm just overwhelmed with the fact I've been away with the Saxons and people are recognising what I'm doing.

"But I cannot get carried away with that, I've just got to keep focusing on the rugby. Northampton on Saturday is a huge match for us.

"The awards come if you're concentrating on your rugby properly. I'm really happy to have won this, but I'll just keep working hard and won't let it affect anything.

"It has happened quickly, I remember the first ten or so games just getting on the pitch and just trying not to mess up.

"It's a real learning experience when you start out.

"I do feel like I'm past that initial stage now, and I feel I am in a position to be a true member of this team and contribute, and I feel truly in the side now.

"I do know how Clarkey feels coming into the side, because there's a lot of pressure on young guys coming in for their first few games.

"He's been working hard and he will come through strongly, along with guys like Ryan Mills and Dan Robson.

"The more games they play you'll see them develop really quickly.

"They will make mistakes, everyone does, but they will grow through those first 15 to 20 games and get a lot better because of it.

"We've got a bright future ahead of us with a lot more young guys coming through, definitely."