Jones backs his squad during '˜relentless' opening month

Luton take on Newport County this evening for their fourth game in 11 days and play twice a week now for the next fortnight, making it eight matches in their opening month of the campaign.

But Jones, who cut the size of the squad down dramatically during the summer, said: “I’ve got more headaches now that I had last year in terms of who to play, far more quality, far better strength in depth, far better athletes.

“It’s a different squad from last year, totally different and I know which one I’d rather have.

“It is very relentless really, and the more successful you are in cups, there’s no respite, then add in the EFL Trophy, where you have to play certain number of starters and so on, just means we’re flogging them.

“But that’s the way it is, British football has been like that for a long time, and we’re not complaining. We’ve added another game because we were successful in the cup, so it’s not proving a problem at the minute.”

On the test he expects from Newport who Hatters drew with 1-1 last term, Jones continued: “They’re a difficult side, they were a difficult side to play against last time and I know that, but every game is different at Kenilworth Road.

“People come here with different ambitions and we’ll see what happens. They’re a very combative side, the manager (Warren Feeney) was a hard working player and he’s transferred that into his team and it will be very, very difficult as I knew Yeovil would be as Yeovil are a real, good honest side.

“They (Newport) work hard, cause problems for you and if you’re not at your best you don’t pick up the right result and we’re going to need to be.”