Lucas Ness signs year extension

A interesting decision to trigger Lucas Ness’ contract for a final year. The 22-year old has had exactly 33 minutes of football under Nathan Jones and has appeared way down the pecking order behind Gillesphey, Hector, Thomas and Edmonds-Green.

I am always happy to see our academy players given an extra chance to prove themselves, and this is certainly that.

A little over a year ago we were all singing Lucas’ praises when playing under Dean Holden he made a great foil for Hector. He was assertive and mobile, but somehow following a season ending injury he came back not as good this season.

A year’s extension has little downside, but perhaps the best probability is that he goes out on a first half of the season loan and excels meaning he either comes back pushing for a first-team place or he could move on next summer for a fee. I think Bournemouth were linked with him last season.

We all saw something in Ness, so this contract gives him the belief that Jones and others are willing for it to show again.

Photo: Paul Edwards