Despite recent cameos in midfield, Tony Mowbray still sees defence as Luke O'Nien's primary position - although he expects the utility man to plug several gaps as the season drags on. He's also given fans an update on Alex Pritchard...
VERSATILE
"In my mind, he's a defender. But, as I've said constantly, he's such a great guy, he's so versatile, he has huge confidence in what he can do - he's telling me now that he can play centre-forward and cause havoc and get 15 goals a season!"
TWO FOOTED
"So I've got no fear of putting him in midfield because I know what he gives you, I know what he brings. Yet in my mind he is a defender, left side or right side, I'm genuinely not sure whether he is left-footed or right-footed! I know he's right-footed, really, but watching after training working on his left foot, it's unbelievable what he can do with it."
GREAT SQUAD OPTION
"He's just a talent that we are delighted to have as part of our squad, and a brilliant guy who keeps the environment and the positivity going every day. Let's see, ultimately, where he finds himself as the season unfolds."
PRITCH
"I haven't had a chat with Pritch yet. I'll speak to the sports science department and the medical department. I think he came through it alright, he didn't come off chuntering and unhappy after 70 minutes - I think he knew he was about done, because he has missed a lot of football over recent weeks. He's a very important player for us, his delivery from dead ball for instance is fantastic, and his out of possession stuff is really good too."
MIDFIELD TWO
"It was a tough shift for him the other night with only two in central midfield instead of the three that we would normally play with, it was a tough ask by me to get him to do it but his understanding of the game gave him a better chance than somebody else. We'll pick the team collectively and we'll see."
IMPACT SUB
"If he is on the bench, he will definitely come on to impact the game, if he starts then he will probably be coming off before the end."
