Interviews

GRAEME JONES GIVES SQUAD UPDATE AHEAD OF BRENTFORD MATCH

Hatters boss Graeme Jones has provided a squad update ahead of tomorrow’s game against Brentford at Griffin Park.

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The game represents the opportunity to win successive games for the first time since August after beating Charlton Athletic 2-1 on Tuesday evening.

Fortunately, even with this being the third game within a week, every player trained apart from Martin Cranie, as Jones explains: “Everyone from Tuesday is training apart from Martin Cranie who hasn’t made it, so that’s a disappointment.

“We’ve had to be a little bit cautious with him, but he should be fit for the Wigan game next week. That’s the only disappointment really, everyone else has been out there and apart from him we’re at full strength.”

Ryan Tunnicliffe came off against Charlton with ten minutes to play but should be available tomorrow afternoon.

The manager said: “He had cramp in his hamstring, so it was a little bit of precaution. Obviously he was worried he was going to let the team down because he couldn’t function on 100 per cent, but it was more neuro than muscular and he’s okay, he trained this morning.”

Three points against the Addicks pushed Town out of the relegation zone and Jones is keen to see the same level of commitment as the players take to the field once again.

“We’re back to where we are on Monday when we had the conversation, we want the same level. That’s the challenge to the boys, they need to produce the same level of understanding, the same level of performance and let’s see where it takes us.”

With performances strong since coming back from the international break, the former Everton and Belgium assistant boss added: “The players have performed well in the last two games so I’m not looking to change the squad, maybe personnel for tactical reasons but I’m not looking to change the squad.

“There would have to be somebody forcing their way in, in terms of how they’re training every day or somebody allowing their standards to drop, and they go out of the group.

“That’s where we are, it’s a little bit like come on, I want consistency now. You know what we are, we need to perform and so everybody who has the shirt, it’s theirs to lose. The players that aren’t in have got to be professional and they have to work hard for when the opportunity comes because it will, that’s football.”

Jones’ squad will soon be boosted by Glen Rea’s return, as the midfielder is set to play his final game for Woking tomorrow as they take on Boreham Wood.

On the 25-year-old, the manager said: “He’s definitely back into my thoughts. Glen’s got his last game tomorrow and then I’m going to have a chat with him Monday or Tuesday next week, and we will assess where we are and take it from there.”

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