Troy the boy is all grown up

Goals, games and a baby – if the latter isn't enough to calm you down nothing will.

The birth of son Myles last Saturday completed Troy Deeney's transformation from promising youngster to doting and responsible father.

Rather than jetting off on a lads' holiday this summer, he and girlfriend Stacey face sleepless nights during a summer which will see the striker come of age.

But Deeney, 21 at the end of the month, believes he is ready for the next challenge.

He speaks with impressive maturity, a grace which belies his age and with a young family to take care of it's understandable.

The forward has earned plaudits on and off the pitch with how he carries himself and puts it down to fatherhood.

Deeney said: "It's settled me down a lot more now, made me a better person,. I don't go out with all the hooligans like I used to. I stay in and I think it's changed a few people around me.

"I'm still young but I feel like I've grown up now. I feel like a man to be honest, that's the best way to put it, so feel I can rise above certain things.

"Being at home is good. I'm loud around the club but at home I'm all quiet. I'm a peaceful old man, I don't go out any more. I'll retire now and if I had the money I would."

That's unlikely after his breakthrough season which saw him finish at the Saddlers' 12-goal top league goalscorer.

Plucked from non-league football at Chelmsley in 2006, he was swiftly loaned out to Halesowen where eight goals in 10 games highlighted his potential.

That potential was finally harnessed by boss Chris Hutchings, who moved him from a right-wing exile to his preferred striking birth.

The move heralded a return to form as life became an altogether more tranquil place last season.

Deeney said: "The Playstation and I are very good friends. I used to go drinking at the weekend but now I haven't drunk in almost a year, my 20th birthday was the last time I drank.

"It's not as if we can go out and get drunk any more. I'll have some fun during pre-season but then come back and it's back to work."

Saddlers will return to full-time training on July 2, where Deeney will become a father of a different kind.

Deeney realises, following his successful campaign, he will be a role model for his brother and younger team-mates.

He said: "I'm trying to be a good example at home and I also have to be a good example to my brother Ellis, who is at Villa. I have to show him what it's all about.

"The younger boys who are coming through, like Will (Grigg), Darryl (Westlake) and Sam (Adkins) look up to players like me and Manny (Smith) and a few of the others.

"We're in a position where we've played a few games so we can offer advice.

"Before I felt a bit false because I didn't really know what I was doing. Now it's onwards and upwards.

"I've grown up an awful lot. I feel like a professional in every sense of the word, down to eating properly and resting on a Thursday and Friday.

"It's reflected at home now as well because I'm a dad. Everything is being done properly."

He's also kicked his sweet tooth and, under the guidance of physio Jon Whitney, has cut his beloved Haribo out of his life.

Deeney joked: "I don't eat them anymore, it was like I was coming off heroin, weaning myself off.

"It was hard but I'm trying to get everything down, like body fats.

"I haven't changed anything since the day I came here but I have given up the sweets.

"Now I am just enjoying my football."