Town boss Graeme Jones believes the squad are starting to see the fruits of their labour with back-to-back wins, as well as giving an injury update on defender Martin Cranie in his press conference at the Brache this afternoon.
The Hatters head into this weekend’s match against Huddersfield having won consecutive games for the first time this season, as they defeated Barnsley last Saturday in the Sky Bet Championship action, before winning at Cardiff on Tuesday night in the Carabao Cup.
Jones feels that the work they have put in is starting to show, having been pleased with his side’s ever-improving performances.
He said: “I think the proof is in the pudding and you can see that. if you’re an experienced football man, you can see indications and signs coming through. But in football you’re never there, there’s another challenge on Saturday and Huddersfield – with the amount of money they’ve spent on individuals, they can hurt you. So you always have to guard against that.
“I think back-to-back wins for any football club is healthy, it puts you in a good psychological state – I think the players have deserved it. I think it’s ten weeks ago we started and for me to sit here and can say I haven’t had an issue with the group in terms of technical, tactical, the mental, the physical – they have got better every game, that really pleases me more than anything.”
Town utility man Cranie was stretchered off against Sheffield Wednesday last week with what appeared to be a serious knee injury, but scan results have shown no long-term problem and he should be back in contention sooner rather than later.
“Martin should be alright for the second week of the international break”, Jones continued. “He’s a quick healer, the pain has gone a little bit now. We are hoping to get him out running next week, so it’s positive. We’ve been happy with him, Martin is one of those players you need around and can play five positions. You need that flexibility when it’s not there, on the pitch and off it. Hopefully his recovery will be straight forward.”
Glen Rea’s return from a long injury lay-off is edging closer by the day, with the manager looking forward to seeing him fully involved in first team training.
Graeme said: “Glen joined in today, a little bit of a session, the contact stuff is back. Then he needs a training period and a game period and I have discussed one or two bits with Glen, we will look at that a bit more when we are further down the line. He looks a great pro and a really useful player, he is certainly someone we would welcome back with open arms.
“He’s very specific, he’s a defensive midfield player, we’ve got Martin Cranie who can play there, but can play other positions, Glen is specific to that role. It will be really good to have him back in the squad, but we need a fully fit Glen Rea, a match fit Glen Rea and there’s a process we need to go through to get him to that position.”
Goalkeeper Harry Isted was also one of the topics of discussion at today’s press conference, with the stopper hoping to secure a loan move.
Jones explained: “It’s got to be the right loan because it needs to be the tactical aspect that we work on here. There’s no point in him going out and booting the ball 80 yards up the pitch, we need to get the right loan for him. So that’s where the work is, I would like Harry to get that experience, because in training and the pre-season games he’s been very good, so just as a young man he needs to get that experience, he needs to get that education. We will see what options we have got.”