This morning, Darragh Lenihan was recalled by his parent club Blackburn Rovers.
The 21-year-old Ireland U21 international joined the Brewers back in October 2014.His loan was extended in February which kept him at the Pirelli Stadium until March 14th but his deal was cut early after Rovers recalled their youngster.
After being asked how Darragh’s place will be filled, Brewers boss Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink told burtonalbionfc.co.uk
“I have got a really good idea of how I’m going to fill his shoes”.
There are many ways in which the vacant midfield position can be filled. Mousinho was initially brought to the Pirelli as a central midfielder but has played an important role in the heart of defence since the arrival of Hasselbaink.
Phil Edwards has played in the middle of defence earlier in his career which would allow John Mousinho to push into the middle to fill the boots of Darragh Lenihan but Hasselbaink insists he isn’t going to re-shuffle the team too much.
“I am not going to re-shuffle the team too much.” Hasselbaink told us.
He added “I think that would be a suicidal thing to do, if you are going to shuffle too many bodies”.
Tom Naylor was drafted in on loan from Championship side Derby County in the January Transfer window. After Hasselbaink stated that it will most likely be a “straight swap” to replace Darragh, it may open the door for Naylor to make his mark in a Brewers shirt.
“I think we have been alright and I think it will be a straight swap, I think.
“Obviously we are looking.
“I am not saying no we aren’t going to re-shuffle and don’t get me wrong don’t think that I haven’t thought about putting Mousinho in the midfield but he is playing ever so well at the back”
When Hasselbaink was asked if Naylor would now step up and have a little bit more bite in training with the vacant midfield position up for grabs, he agreed, but soon played down his tactics and insisted that anybody can make the position their own.
“Both, both. It is an opportunity for somebody to take that place and make it their own.”