Jones interested in keeping loan trio

The three players all started yesterday’s 4-1 win over Exeter, with Sheehan, who has constantly caught the eye in his stint at Kenilworth Road, captaining the side in the absence of Scott Cuthbert once more.

He was alongside Rea, with the Brighton defender impressing too, while Charlton forward Pigott made it four goals since arriving courtesy of a magnificent long range effort.

When asked he if would be interesting in bringing them in, Jones, who also signed Derby keeper Jonathan Mitchell, until he was recalled by the Championship side, said: “I hope so as I think they’ve done well, there’s scope for them to learn too.

“Sheehan’s done brilliant, he was my first one and has been outstanding, for how we play, he’s been essential.

“Glen Rea’s come in and he’s a young lad, learning his trade, eager, keen, a bit naive at times, but has done superbly well and Joe’s now hitting a bit of form late on, but that’s what you get with strikers.

“I believe in all three, all four who I brought in as I don’t think anyone can say, ‘I can’t see why he’s brought him in.’

“But that’s recruitment, that’s why we do it and we bring players in that can have real value.”

Whoever Jones does sign over the summer will be part of a far smaller squad next term, as the boss added: “We’ve had too many passengers here that through no fault of their own have been passengers, because it’s too big.

“You can only pick 18 and to have nine outside the squad, not kids, but nine first team players outside the squad is for me, not workable.

“But we’ve got a nice tight squad now and we’re happy with it, they’re contributing.

“The ones we brought in, we felt added to the team, not just the squad. We’ve made some nice steps since I’ve came in and we’re now looking forward to the future.”