WHY LUCAS IS ‘A BREWER THROUGH’ AND THROUGH

JAKE Buxton says Lucas Akins is “a Brewer, through and through” after the versatile Burton Albion forward made his 200th appearance for the club on Saturday.

Akins reached the milestone in the 2-1 win over Shrewsbury Town as a right-back, the position he has most regularly filled so far this season.

Outings at centre-half and leftback in 2018-19 means the 29-year-old, who joined Albion in 2014 as a striker and wide attacking option, has featured in every outfield position for the Brewers and he has played in League Two, League One and the Championship at the Pirelli Stadium.

With club captain Buxton not having started a League game since August, Akins has become Burton’s on-field captain, although he handed the armband to Buxton when the defender replaced Kyle McFadzean in the 57th minute of the Shrewsbury game.

But, according to the Brewers’ current skipper, Akins may yet have to take on more of those captaining responsibilities further down the line.

“Lucas has been tremendous since I’ve joined the club,” said Buxton.

“I think his performances, not necessarily playing out of position but nearly playing out of position every week, his marks out of 10 have never dropped below a seven.

“He’s the most consistent man, he’s a lovely lad, he’s a Brewer through and through, he’s a good lad to keep around.

“I’ve told him that if I do stop playing, he’s got to take an awful amount of duties on off the pitch, like organising events and keeping the dressing room good and sound.

“He’s a lovely lad, he deserves credit.

“He deserves the applause of the supporters and long may he continue to keep playing for us, in whatever position it may be.”