Still planning to cast an eye over whole squad during manic run-in

Hatters start at home to Newport County AFC this evening, before hosting relegated Ebbsfleet on Thursday and then travelling to Southport on Saturday.

Still said: “It’s been a tough week, Friday, Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday. The whole of the squad is going to be involved in one way or another as there’s no need to kill people if they’re not ready or tired.

“Brett Longden is not going to be fit, but the rest of the injury situation is okay as Jake Howells is training and Mark Tyler is training.”

The manager had intimated that young centre half Alex Lacey may be considered for selection, but Still is now expected to let him finish the campaign at Blue Square Bet South side Eastleigh.

He continued: “With Lacey, he’s been out at Eastleigh and they’re going for promotion. To bring him back for one game is probably not fair on him.

“I wouldn’t bring him back for one game, it’s not fair on him, they may have play-offs at Eastleigh, so it will be a chance to watch him so not sure on that.

“He’s here next year, most of the things I needed to see were on players to decide whether or not they’re going to be here and whether I’m going to retain them or not and the ones under contract, whether I’m going to make them available or not.

“With the other ones like JJ (O’Donnell), it’s not as necessary. Matt Robinson too, but he was showing a bit extra in training and really going at it.

“I went and watched the reserve team game at Charlton and he put in enough for me to say I’m going to push him on a bit.”

Still has now been in charge of the club for just under two months and was confident that everything is on track to push for promotion next season.

He added: “For a manager, I probably couldn’t have come in at a better time.

“When I got there the play-offs were still a possibility. I saw the game at Braintree and felt we needed to move on quickly, without saying we’re not going to get in the play-offs.

“I never picked a team ever that I didn’t think could win. What I did feel was important was to get to this stage of the season knowing the changes I needed to be made.

“I think it’s a perfect time to come in, wherever I’m going, whoever I speak to, it’s the same question, how long will it take?

“When the club first spoke to me, I was quite clear that I don’t know, I really don’t.

“But what I do know is that in my time here, we will get a team that’s capable of getting out of this league and sustain that as well.

“I hope that we’re well on the way to that for next season, I really do. Everyone’s working hard, doing the right things in recruitment, the things I normally do to give ourselves the best opportunity to get a team together for next year that can do the best to do that.”

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