Hylton's first 90 since January 2019 during Royals win impresses Town boss Jones

Danny Hylton is sandwiched by two Reading defenders during Tuesday night's 1-0 win over the Royals

Town boss Nathan Jones hailed the performance of striker Danny Hylton during last night’s 1-0 Carabao Cup second round win at Reading.

The 31-year-old was named in the starting line-up for the first time this season at the Madejski Stadium, completing his first 90 minutes since January 5, 2019, when Luton drew 0-0 at Sheffield Wednesday in the FA Cup.

He went desperately close to scoring on two occasions, firstly seeing a close range header well saved by Royals keeper Luke Southwood in the first half and then looping a header inches wide of the target after the break.

It wasn’t just Hylton getting his first full run-out in some time though, as Jones said: “That’s the competition we want with this group of players and I thought he was excellent.

“He led the line really well and he’s got into situations, the work-rate was phenomenal and he needed that as it’s been a while since he's done 90 minutes.

"It’s been a while since (Ryan) Tunnicliffe has done 90 minutes, (Andrew) Shinnie, George Moncur, all these people needed 90 minutes.

“Tom Lockyer has had two international games, but it shows the intensity of this competition that he cruised through international games, but he gets cramp in this game, because of the intensity.

"Everyone’s got that now and Thursday we’ll be better for it, leading into another three game week.”