Boss pleased with Josh after asking him to play right side of the defence.

David Artell says that Academy graduate, Josh Lundstram, has the versatility to play a number of positions and that will give him more opportunities at first-team level. Lundstram progressed through the club’ s renowned Academy system as a midfielder but he has played right-back, right wing-back and even finished last night’s Papa John’s Trophy tie at right sided centre-half.

Lundstram, 22, has now made 21 appearances at first-team level and that would have been considerably more if he hadn’t suffered a serious injury last season that limited his game-time to just 6 games in all competitions.

Speaking after the 3-0 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers Under-21s, Artell said: “Josh is fine and he has shown that he has that versatility to play in a number of positions for us. He played right wing-back and finished as the right side centre-half for the last 20 minutes.

“He is a clever footballer and knows the roles but he is a midfielder. He played midfield at Bolton last year and nearly scored. He would have been involved much more last season but for the injury but his ability to play numerous positions is great to have as a manager.

The boss added: “Josh is doing fine and he has to keep on working hard and developing to make himself into a first-team regular. He knows that and he has good energy levels and awareness wherever he is asked to play.”