Bree: It's a massive complement to be compared to former Hatter Jack Stacey

Town’s on-loan defender James Bree labelled it a ‘massive complement’ to be compared to Hatters’ former full back Jack Stacey, who is now plying his trade in the Premier League with Bournemouth.

The Aston Villa youngster drew the comparison to the ex-Luton player, who has 17 top flight appearances to his name this term, from Luton chief Nathan Jones recently, as speaking after Bree impressed during the 1-1 draw with Barnsley a week ago, he said: "I think he’d be a wonderful player, given time to work with him and he reminds me a lot of Jack Stacey in terms of stature and athleticism."

Jones also reiterated his belief in the build-up to last night's 1-1 draw with QPR and when informed of the comments after the game, Bree, who won Town a penalty in the first half after an impressive run forward from full back, a la Stacey, said: "That’s a massive complement.

"I didn't know he’d said that, but looking at what him and James Justin have done going into the Premier League, I think that’s something that I’m aiming to do, whether that will be with Villa when I go back or in the future with my career.

"I want to play as high as possible, and in this day and age, full backs have got to be able to attack as well as defend.

"I think it's always something that I can do, it’s just having the desire to get forward and do it and think I’ve really got that at the moment.”

Bree is currently contracted to Villa for another season, although with his parent club in the relegation zone, he might have to wait to achieve his goal.

Jones has intimated he would like to work with the ex-Barnsley player going forward too, but on where his future beyond the current campaign might lie, Bree continued: "I don't really know what’s going on.

"At the moment, my main goal is keeping Luton in the Championship, that's what I want to do.

"Then we’ll see what happens there and then go from there."

Whatever happens, Bree could play a huge part in Hatters' bid to stay up this term, with some stellar displays since the Championship season resumed.

The 22-year-old puts his improvement down to the extra work he put in during lockdown both mentally and physically, paying off, adding: "I was in good football shape, but there was just little things I needed to work on.

"Whether it was sprinting, or a little bit of cardio, I just needed to keep myself ticking over.

"I got a little bit stronger over that time, and just looking back at the games too, thinking what I could have done better?

"It just helped having that time away and we’ve got all our games clipped, all our individual passes and so on.

"So I've gone back and had a look and just seen little things that I was getting caught out with, or little things I was doing well, but could have done more, just stuff like that and see what I can improve on.

“We had so long off, it was just finding stuff to keep myself occupied, help improve my game and it's helping me at the minute.“