Matt a new man for Town

The 24-year-old could make his League One debut against Southend United this afternoon - a moment he’s had a long wait for.

Matt suffered a serious knee injury in the last minute of pre-season last year, sidelined for 12 months.

But now he’s fit and boss Graham Alexander has backed him to make his mark in the third tier.

He said: “I wouldn’t fancy playing against Jamille when he’s in full flow.

“He’s a tricky customer to be around.

“But what he has is a great desire to be around the goal.

“You could see that against Getafe when he was brought down for the penalty, hit the bar with a header.

“He knows where the goal is.

“His goals to starts for us is a very good record.

“He’s just been unfortunate with a few injuries.

“But he has the same intelligence and motivation to score goals.”

Matt was the club’s record signing when he joined from Kidderminster for a fee of £300,000 in January 2013.

Having been without the hitman for the entire of last campaign, Alexander feels like he’s got a new signing at his disposal.

He said: “Jamille is like a new signing for us.

“He hasn’t kicked a ball for us in League One.

“He’s so determined to make his mark and repay the faith shown in him by the staff and his team-mates.

“We do have to be patient with him, he has had a serious injury and a long lay-off.

“But I’ve not seen anyone work as hard as he has to be fully fit and he’s determined to be ready for the kick off.”

Matt is one of a number of men vying for a starting place this afternoon.

David Ball will be keen to make an immediate impact, having returned to Fleetwood this week.

Jamie Proctor is understood to have shaken off an injury and trained this week with Vamara Sanogo, Declan McManus and Ash Hunter all pushing for a first team spot.

It’s something of a headache for Alexander who is certain on the majority of his starting eleven for this afternoon’s game against Phil Brown’s Shrimpers

Alexander said: “I’m fairly certain on nine or ten of them.

“There were a couple of question marks.

“But I keep telling the lads they can change my mind in training - either way.

“That’s how we’ve always been.”

We’ve an open mind about players coming in.

“But there’s nine or ten we’re now sure will start the game. It’s up to them when they cross the white line.”