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 ImagesWhat to read next:
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Photos from last night's win against Coventry at the Coventry Building Society Arena.
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Highlights of last night’s 2-1 victory over Coventry City at the Coventry Building Society Arena.
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Town boss Kieran McKenna felt the Blues’ 2-1 win at Coventry, which put his side a point from the Premier League, was an up and down affair with the Blues getting caught up in the game state and the outcome.
If you saw the match, please give us your player ratings and a mini match report.
Town are one point away from a return to the Premier League after a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Coventry City at the Coventry Building Society Arena. Kieffer Moore’s eighth minute goal gave the Blues a 1-0 half-time advantage, but the Sky Blues, who were in charge for long spells, levelled through Haji Wright on 64, however, Cameron Burgess restored the lead with his second goal of the season five minutes later and Town saw out 11 minutes of added-on time to secure three vital points and put them a single point away from back-to-back promotions.
Kieffer Moore’s eighth minute goal has given the Blues a 1-0 half-time lead over Coventry City at the Coventry Building Society Arena.
Town boss Kieran McKenna makes three changes for this evening’s crunch final away game of the season against Coventry City at the Coventry Building Society Arena but Leif Davis is fit enough to start at left-back.