It’s been a season of progress for Huddersfield Town forward Joe Lolley – and he doesn’t want it to stop just yet.
The 23-year-old Aston Villa supporter is eyeing a 38th appearance of the season against Birmingham City, the club who rejected him as a 16-year-old.
Six of those outings came in the colours of Scunthorpe United.
Lolley had a spell on loan at the League I club in September and October.
And the former Kidderminster Harriers player admits he wondered whether he had a future at Town.
Things have changed for the £300,000 January 2014 signing since the appointment of head coach David Wagner in November.
He has been a regular pick under the German, who has handed him 27 of his 56 Town appearances.
And in January, Lolley signed a new contract through to 2019, with Town having a further year’s option.
“It was tough at the start of the season because I wasn’t in the side and I ended up going out on loan,” he explained.
“So to see where I am now, it’s been a good spell for me.
“I have started a lot of games, something I wasn’t doing before, and I feel fitter and stronger.”
Lolley followed an individual training schedule last summer which involved visits to the Football Association’s St George’s Park complex at Burton-upon-Trent.
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“I worked hard and I wanted to make an impression,” recalled the four-goal player, who netted in the 2-0 win at Birmingham in December.
“To find myself loaned out was a worry, and there were times I wondered what was going to happen in the long term.
“Where I am now is really encouraging, and I want to make sure I keep progressing.
“I must keep my performances at a high level and keep pushing on.
“Any dip leads to someone else coming in and getting their chance.”