Butterfield will have a more attacking role at Town under returning manager

If called upon during the Championship run-in, then Town midfielder Jacob Butterfield will have the restraints removed from him by Hatters boss Nathan Jones.

The 30-year-old summer signing from Derby County has made just 15 league appearances for the Hatters this term, as despite impressing during that time, he was more often that not used by former boss Graeme Jones in a deeper role, with Glen Rea and Martin Cranie injured.

However, when the pair returned, Butterfield surprisingly didn't feature in the league at all since December, despite Luton struggling for results, falling well down the pecking order, so much so that he wasn’t even included in the match day squad.

The one time £4.5m signing for the Rams was straight back into consideration when Nathan Jones took over, and got a first start since during last weekend's 1-0 win over Swansea City in a more advanced role.

It’s what Jones believes is the best fit for the experienced pro who is out of contract in the summer, saying: "I see him as an attacking midfield player.

"I just feel at Derby he was a number 10, an attacking midfielder and that’s where I see him.

"I can understand the reasons he was playing there because he is a fantastic footballer and it’s just how we use him.

"We have certain people here that are specialist defensive midfield players and those tend to play there a little bit more.

"Jacob is a wonderful footballer, he’s had a good career – Middlesbrough, Derby, Huddersfield, Sheffield Wednesday – he’s been excellent so he’s a capable and very adaptable player. “

It’s not just Butterfield who has been used further up the pitch, but also on-loan Aston Villa full back James Bree too, who came on in Wales in a right midfield role, slotting in front of Matty Pearson.

Although he was back to his regular defensive slot for the 1-1 draw with Leeds in midweek, it's a tactic Jones could adopt again, saying: "He added things to the game, it might look a negative move but it’s actually a positive move because of his athleticism.

“Swansea had just got on top of us slightly and were penning us back. They hadn’t created anything but were just controlling the game a little more.

“So, we wanted to get a little more aggression and more of a pacey threat and that’s why we kept Harry (Cornick) and put Breesy (James Bree) on.

“He can do the defensive role but he does give you an athleticism on that side and that’s why we did it.

“He’s a right back and he needs to learn his trade there and if we need to use him in any role then we will.”

The fact that a number of players weren’t involved under Graeme Jones and with places to play for in the Town team once more, means they will be out to impress the new manager during the final six games of the season if called upon, something Jones can harness in his favour.

He added: “One thing we’ve had here is desire and hunger to do well and that’s why we did well because everyone from the kitman, to the groundsman to the cleaners want to do well for Luton Town, right through the players and the staff.

“There’s no complacency here, we’re always striving for the next thing and in it together.

“That’s the beauty of Luton and that what, collectively, we’ll have to be doing because, individually, there are more illustrious people out there.”