VERSATILE Nat Brown will play as a centre-back in tomorrow's pre-season friendly at Harrogate Town (3.00).
While he has played mostly as a striker or wing-back under manager Peter Jackson, Brown previously impressed in defence and has been doing so again on the Town training ground.
Jackson will take his full 22-strong squad to Wetherby Road plus trialists Steve Haslam and Akpo Sodje and has yet to finalise a starting line-up.
But Brown is confirmed in defence, almost certainly alongside Nathan Clarke and John McCombe as Town ring the changes from Bradford Park Avenue on Wednesday.
"I have converted Nat into a striker since I've been at the club and I don't think he has let us down as a wing-back either," said Jackson today.
"I watched him in a practice match the other day, though, when he was marking Andy Booth and Junior Mendes, and he did really well against them.
"Using him in defence tomorrow gives me options with the team and I certainly wouldn't be frightened of playing him at the back in the League season if we picked up injuries or suspensions to the regular centre-backs."
Jackson has Clarke, Efe Sodje, Steve Yates and David Mirfin competing for three senior places in addition to young McCombe pushing for recognition.
"Nat has made a good contribution to what we've done here over the past year, his attitude is a lot better and less laid back than it was and I think his form has been very consistent," added Jackson.
"He has come on a lot over the last six or seven months, he has been rewarded with a new contract and, now, it would just be nice to see him among the goals at first-team level."
Jackson plans to play Pawel Abbott and John McAliskey in attack.
"We just want more fitness work and no injuries for the lads," he added. "If we win as well, great."
Town - (probable): Senior, Ahmed, Lloyd, Clarke, McCombe, Brown, Haslam, Fowler, Brandon, McAliskey, Abbott.
