Buckle insists Watkins still has a future at Kenilworth Road

Town boss Paul Buckle has insisted midfielder Adam Watkins still has a future at the club, writes Mike Simmonds.

The 21-year-old joined Blue Square Bet South side Eastleigh on loan until the end of the season after making just nine appearances for the Hatters this year.

He made his debut and played 60 minutes of the 1-0 victory over Salisbury City on Tuesday night, as Buckle said: “He’s definitely got a future here, he’s got to find his feet, find some form and make a success of it.”

Watkins joins Alex Lacey, who has extended his deal with the Spitfires until April 9, and was also part of Tuesday’s success.

Meanwhile, Jame Dance played 62 minutes as Nuneaton lost 1-0 to Southport in the Conference, while Dan Walker was also substituted after 72 minutes of Braintree’s 2-0 home defeat to Hereford.

Striker Jake Woolley scored for Hitchin in their 4-0 win over AFC Totton in the Southern League Premier Division, with Alasan Ann also playing 90 minutes.

Walker also came off the bench in the second half of Braintree’s 4-1 defeat to Forest Green Rovers on Tuesday night, and Buckle had a warning for any of his players who were out on loan as he added: “They’re all playing games which is what it’s about.

“Carl Emberson keeps a real watch on that, he insists the clubs send us DVDs and stays on top of that for me which is great.

“A few got taken off at the weekend and as a manager when you’re loaning players out, you want them to go and do well.

“But ultimately if they go out and don’t do so well, it proves to them as well if they need it proving to them.

“They have to go out on loan and do well, simple as that. If you can’t get into Luton’s team, you don’t want to be going out and getting taken off, unless it’s for the right reason.”

One player who won’t be leaving on loan though is Matt Robinson as Buckle added: “With the squad being fairly short of numbers, I don’t really want to let Matt out.”

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