Still wants to keep Guttridge fresh for Christmas period

The 31-year-old has been one of Town’s stand out performers so far this season, netting six goals already after his summer switch from Northampton.

But he has only started one of the last three league games, although came on after an hour against Welling on Saturday and turned the game in Town’s favour with a sparkling display.

Still said: “I was toying with the idea of starting with Luke, it was a last minute decision.

“It’s going to be a busy Christmas period, so I’ve tried to give Luke a little bit of a rest for a few games.

“I’m not saying he’s old or anything like that, but it’s important you look after players and that’s what we’ve tried to do.

“He’s up there with our leading scorers, he’s a big influence on the team and does a lot of work.

“I think that maybe now and again, it’s good to just give him a little bit of a rest, for what’s going to be a really difficult period.

“There’s lots of games in not a lot of time, which hopefully he’s going to be a big influence in.

“We made a change, which in effect changed the game with Luke coming on.

“He looked really bright and fresh so maybe we’ve done the right thing.”

Still also admitted that it isn’t just Guttridge he was looking to withdraw from the firing line at times.

He continued: “I would actually like to give Paul (Benson) a rest, but he has had a bit of a rest through injury.

“If Jon (Shaw) was fit or Alex (Wall) was fit, that would help that situation a little bit more.”

On the current fitness of Shaw, who has been out of action since August, Still added: “He’s just started without feeling anything on his calf.

“It’s not been his groin or hernia, it’s been the little things you pick up with trying to get fit after an operation.

“Hopefully by this time next week he’ll be back in training with everybody.”

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