‘As good a debut as you will see’ - Luton boss hails Downes after outstanding Hatters bow

Flynn Downes in action during the Ipswich Town v Birmingham City game on the opening day. Picture: STEVE WALLER www.stephenwaller.com (Image: � Copyright Stephen Waller)

Luton boss Nathan Jones hailed the performance of Ipswich Town youngster Flynn Downes following an outstanding debut for the League Two leaders.

The 19-year-old moved to Kenilworth Road on loan on deadline day and played the full 90 minutes in the Hatters’ 1-0 victory over Exeter, winning universal praise for his display at the base of a midfield diamond.

Jones was gushing in his praise for his new signing, insisting Downes was fully in control and played beyond his years.

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“Flynn Downes, now that was as good a debut as you are likely to see,” he told the club’s Youtube channel.

“Now that was comfortable - he looked like he had been playing at Kenilworth Road all his life.

“We know he’s a talented boy, we know he’s a Championship quality player and he demonstrated that today and he was outstanding.”

Jones is grateful to Blues boss Mick McCarthy for allowing Downes to spend the remainder of the season with the Hatters and believes his side will send the teenager back to Portman Road in the summer as a more complete player.

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“But we kind of knew what we were getting, we just hoped he transforms that form that he’s had for Ipswich in here and he was absolutely outstanding, he really was.

“He will be minimum Championship player and we’re just so happy that Mick [McCarthy] and Ipswich had decided to entrust us with him here.

”His development will continue here and we’ll hand him back as a Championship player.”

Downes was one of a number of Ipswich Town youngsters who made appearances for their loan clubs on Saturday, with Josh Emmanuel completing 90 minutes during Rotherham’s 2-0 victory over AFC Wimbledon in League One.

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In League Two, Danny Rowe made his fifth appearance for Lincoln City in their 2-2 draw with Swindon, while Luke Woolfenden played 90 minutes for Bromley in their 1-1 FA Trophy draw at Workington.

Conor McKendry and Pat Webber both made their Braintree debuts in the Iron’s National League South draw at Havant & Waterlooville, with the later completing 90 minutes and McKendry coming on as a second-half substitute.