Jones offered 'much-improved' terms as boss Brady bids to keep key defender

Jon Brady says the Cobblers have offered Lloyd Jones 'a much-improved' contract to stay at the PTS  Academy Stadium.
Cobblers defender Lloyd Jones has been offered a new deal to stay at the clubCobblers defender Lloyd Jones has been offered a new deal to stay at the club
Cobblers defender Lloyd Jones has been offered a new deal to stay at the club

The central defender was one of the club's most consistent performers after rejoining the club on a short-term deal at the end of December, having spent a short spell on loan with Town the previous campaign.

The ex-Luton Town man ended up playing 27 times in a little more than four months, forming a solid central defensive partnership with Fraser Horsfall as the Cobblers battled to stay in Sky Bet League One.

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Town eventually fell short as they were relegated with a match to spare, but new permanent Town boss Brady, who was appointed in the role last Saturday, is very keen to keep hold of a player he rates very highly.

Jones was one of three out-of-contract players to be offered a new deal when the club's retained list was announced on Tuesday, with the others being Ryan Watson and Scott Pollock.

And Brady revealed they have offered the former Liverpool trainee a better deal than he has been on since Christmas, as he is well aware the 25-year-old will be on the radar of other clubs thanks to his strong performances for the Cobblers.

"If you look at Lloyd, he had fallen out of love with the game until he returned to the club," said Brady, who took caretaker charge at Town in February following the sacking of Keith Curle, who signed Jones.

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"But since his return to the football club he has been excellent.

"I made him skipper on Sunday (in the 1-1 draw at Sunderland), that shows what we think of him, and we have made him a much-improved offer despite relegation.

"I am sure he has league one clubs interested in him, but I feel he needs to continue his progression at the club, where he feels valued.

"Another season of this progression, I feel would be perfect for him right now. That's where we are at with him."