Thomas sets bar high with home-town club

about his time in England.

‘But you just have to adjust yourself and stay fit and do something productive on your days off, like go for a run or even just a 20-minute gym session just to get your body going and keep it ticking over. Get out and about, just go to the shop, even, to keep active.

‘I’m on the job hunt as well. It’s not going too well so far, but I’m going to keep going and stay positive about it.

‘It is different to Brighton, but I adjusted fairly quickly coming home, to be fair.’

Fellow squad members have helped smooth the path and Thomas is grateful for all the support he’s received.

‘There’s loads of experience in the squad and we do have lot of characters - the likes of Griff and all. They’re the class crowns of the group, you could say, but it’s a good bunch of lads. Straightaway, as soon as I came in, they’ve been top-notch.

‘I’ll tell you one thing, with the group of lads we have in there, I wouldn’t be surprised if we end up in Europe. There’s a lot of lads in there, they’re fighting fit and raring to go.

‘As a minimum we will try and avoid relegation - that’s the first priority, get a few results in our locker - and then hopefully push on from there and challenge for Europe. We know we’re good enough. Leicester did it last year and won the League, and if Drogheda can’t get into Europe this year I’ll be shocking surprised.’