Town midfielder Andy Drury is quick to acknowledge the part that Crawley Town have played in his progress. A loan spell with the Red Devils, in which he scored four goals in 15 league and cup appearances, has proved the springboard to holding down a regular Championship place.

The former Luton player, who at one point looked to be on his way to the League Two promotion hopefuls on a permanent basis, has instead clocked up eight successive league starts during a much-improved spell for Paul Jewell’s team.

Drury, 28, said: “As far as I’m concerned my time at Crawley was very important in terms of gaining the necessary match fitness.

“I worked hard on my fitness last summer but I wasn’t getting in the Ipswich team during the first few games of the season.

“I needed games and I got them at Crawley so when I came back from my two or three months on loan I was sharp and ready to go.

“Everyone is different — Luke [Hyam] wasn’t playing regularly but he has come into the side with no problems. In my case I definitely benefited from my time at Crawley and then I was lucky to get my opportunity back here because there were a few injuries.”

Drury’s proposed move to Crawley collapsed when their bid failed to match the fee initially agreed between the clubs at the start of his temporary stint.

He added: “They went back on their offer and the gaffer told me it had been turned down. If they didn’t want to sell at that price it was fine by me. I understand that football’s a business and how that side of things is important.”

Photo: Action Images

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Photo: Action Images

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