Former Cardiff City captain Jason Perry says Rubin Collwill has taken the first step in letting his football do the talking, praising his “ugly” work.

But Perry says he is keen for a lid to be kept on expectations of the young Wales international.

Collwill was told he faces a “make or break” year at international level by Wales Under-21 boss Matty Jones after he was again left out of Craig Bellamy’s senior squad.

While plenty are excited about the 22-year-old’s potential, Perry is among those who believe the academy product needs to focus on living up to the headlines by concentrating on the basics.

Yet the former defender said he was pleased by what he saw from Collwill in Sunday’s 1-1 draw against Bristol City at Ashton Gate.

“People went too early with Rubin,” Perry told BBC Radio Wales Sport. “I’ve said it before, there’s been too much hype about him from the media, supporters.

“I just want him to play his game and not have people talking about him.

“But in this game was the first time I saw a performance where he pressed with intelligence, he showed he had energy, he showed all the ugly things you have to do.

“And when he got on the ball, the weight of the passes was sensational, the easy balls to help his team as well.”

“But this was 90 minutes, let’s not get carried away about Premier League and how he’s going to be the main man, let’s enjoy it, let’s keep the profile low, let’s let him do it all season.”