First-time father Kayden Jackson admits he has had some sleepless nights lately — but not for the reason Town boss Paul Lambert thinks his players might be lacking kip.
Lambert, with tongue firmly in cheek, suggested that members of his squad could be suffering from less shut-eye as games approach and they contemplate whether or not they will be named in his starting line-up.
The manager’s rigid policy of squad rotation for FA Cup and Leasing.com Trophy ties has resulted in a number of young players stepping up to first team duty and with Town still involved in both competitions it is difficult to argue with his philosophy.
Jackson, 25, has been used sparingly as a result — his substitute appearance in the FA Cup against Coventry last weekend extended to only eight minutes plus stoppage-time — and admits he is looking forward to a return to League One business as the teams once again lock horns at the Sky Blues’ temporary home, St Andrew’s in Birmingham, tomorrow.
He said: "To be honest, if I’ve lost sleep it’s because of the baby. I became a dad nine days ago and I’ve had a couple of sleepless nights.
"I’m eager to get going again in the league. It’s been a tough week and with it being my first child it’s been a bit of a shock to the system. But it has also been very enjoyable — there’s no feeling like it.
"Like I said, there have been a couple of tough nights but, thankfully, my partner’s parents are down with us and they’ve helped out massively.
"We’ve been getting our sleep when we can — here, there and everywhere. The first couple of nights were tough but I feel as if I’m adjusting to it now.”
Could the recent arrival of baby Arlo see Jackson come up with a new goal celebration should he find the back of the net tomorrow and take his tally for the season to eight, which would also take him to the top of the Town scoring charts due to the absence of James Norwood, who is also on seven at the moment but will be serving a one-game ban after collecting five yellow cards.
Jackson added: "My missus has been asking for a celebration for a while to be fair and it hasn’t happened. Sometimes when you score a goal all that goes out of your head but I’m sure there will be something suitable if I do score.”
The former Accrington Stanley striker, for whom Town paid £1.6 million after protracted negotiations in August last year, has not netted in his last four appearances — but insists it hasn’t affected his sleeping pattern.
"To be fair I don’t mind if I score or if I assist,” he said. "I’m just looking to help the team as much as I can. A goal would be nice, of course, but the main thing is winning and picking up the three points.”
But with five of Town’s last seven games being in cup competition, Jackson won’t be the only first-team regular licking his lips in anticipation of tomorrow’s return to league action.
He admitted: "It’s frustrating not having many league games. You want to have league games week in, week out, especially with the results we had against Blackpool and Wycombe.
"It was frustrating not to get the wins in those games, especially against Wycombe when we felt we had done enough — and thought we had the lead. Everybody is eager now to get back into the league and hopefully get the win that we feel we deserved against Wycombe.”
Asked if he understood the manager’s thought process, he added: "At the end of the day we’ve got a big squad and, as the gaffer says, everyone needs to be ready when called upon.
"The lads that haven’t been playing are not going to be ready unless they get game time. It’s an opportunity for him to play them, which I thoroughly understand.
"I was 100 per cent delighted for the lads that played at Peterborough the other night and won through to the next round on penalties.
"It’s a nice occasion when there are lads making their debuts, like Adam [Przybek] in goal who played well and saved some good penalties.
"Think how big that was for him and the other boys playing their first senior games for the club. I was happy for them and happy with the result. Would I like to get involved in the competition myself? Of course I would.
"I like playing any game — a game of football is a game of football at the end of the day, and it’s another chance to do well and score some goals. But it’s the gaffer’s decision who he plays. If I’m called upon I’ll be only too happy to play.”