MASTER AND APPRENTICE

Potters boss O’neill full of praise for experienced campaigner Fletcher and young talent Brown

MICHAEL O’neill is saluting his two summer strike signings at opposite ends of their careers for the work they are doing – with one desperate to learn and the other a role model.

Jacob Brown, aged 22, is on standby to feature against his old club Barnsley this evening (7.45pm) as Nick Powell and Tyrese Campbell face fitness tests for knocks picked up at Luton.

And 33-year-old Steven Fletcher is hoping that his first goal for the club will help seal a first home league win to complement seven points out of nine on the road.

O’neill said: “We’re really pleased with Jacob. A young player coming to the club and we knew what we were getting.

“He’s got terrific energy, real good speed. He threatens defenders and he threatens in behind. I think we’ve seen that in all the games he’s played in.

“He’s settled in really well. He’s got a really great attitude. He wants to improve. He’s always asking questions, he’s always coming for information. He’s a dream as a young boy to have in the club because he only wants to get better and get to the highest level he can in the game.

“He’s fitted in well. That younger group of players is really focused and hungry now and he’s a big part of that.”

O’neill is optimistic that Powell and Campbell will be passed fit, while James Chester and Jordan Cousins returned to training yesterday. Morgan Fox (calf ) and James Mcclean (foot) will be assessed too.

Brown, pictured, came off the bench at Luton and O’neill admitted: “Anyone is desperate to play against their old club, of course they are. But the lads who started the game against Luton, Powell and Fletcher scored and Tyrese made a goal against Birmingham and a goal against Luton as well.

“Competition for places is good so we’ll see how the knocks settle down and if Jacob gets the opportunity to start or if he comes off the bench we know he’ll have an impact.”

Fletcher had hit the woodwork in his first two league starts before sinking a header at Luton and it was put to O’neill that defenders know they’re in for a hard afternoon when he’s in the line-up.

“You know you’re playing against quality, that’s the key,” said the manager.

“I’ve seen Steven from a long way back and he came into the team at Hibs as a very exciting young player. It’s no surprise to me that he’s had the career he’s had.

“He was a player that when we met him in the summer, we straight away liked his attitude. We liked the fact that he had a real hunger to continue to do well and have that ambition to finish his career at the highest level he can.

“That’s evident in how he trains, how he is physically. He’s fitted into the club really well.

“He’s been a real example to a lot of players and he’s exactly what you want from an older player in the squad.

“We’re fortunate that in the building now we have some really good older senior pros.

“The likes of Ryan Shawcross and Joe Allen who are unfortunately on their way back from injury.

“The likes of James Chester and Danny Batth, they are really, really good lads and that creates a good culture and a positive atmosphere.”