Cowley pleased with approach in build-up

DANNY Cowley has been delighted with the approach of his players in the build-up to the Wigan Athletic match.

The manager has worked aggressively with them on the training ground, honing them physically and mentally for the prospect of finishing the Championship season with nine matches in 32 days.

It’s been an intensive period in which some previously injured players – Jonathan Hogg being the prime example – have been able to work their way back to full fitness after missing vital action just before the suspension of the EFL season because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Cowley has included several of the club’s younger players and those who have been out on loan in the squad sessions, being keen to keep a check on how they are progressing. He is keen to ensure he knows exactly how to put together his retained list on a post-Covid budget and which younger players might be ready to make the breakthrough.

The boss has revealed, however, that one of Town’s brightest hopefuls has had a spell in hospital.

He is 21-year-old former Tottenham and England age-group defender Jaden Brown.

Cowley said: “Young Jaden, unfortunately, picked up appendicitis, so he has missed a part of training.

“He has been in hospital for a period, so we were worried about him for a while.

“But it’s good to see him back in training and he is on the mend, now, thankfully.”

Brown has lost his starting line-up place to Harry Toffolo since January, having made 16 league and cup appearances, but he’s a talent who Town always said they would develop.

That’s why they signed him on a two-and-a-half year contract at the time, taking his terms through to the summer of 2021. The club also have the option of extending the deal by a further 12 months.