MANAGER Peter Jackson today paid tribute to Nat Brown and highlighted him as an important component in Town's play-off chasing side.

The 22-year-old utility man starred as a striker in Saturday's 3-1 win against Doncaster, after playing well at wing-back and right-midfield in earlier games.

His performance caught the eye and Jackson will have no qualms about sticking with Brown alongside 17-goal leading scorer Jonathan Stead at Cambridge if Andy Booth (hamstring) fails to prove his fitness.

"Nat wasn't involved at the start of the season and has become a regular only in the last couple of months, but he has done tremendously well for us," said Jackson, who had loan man Fola Onibuje and fit-again John Thorrington leading the Reserves' attack against Burnley at the McAlpine today (2.00).

"Everyone knows he can play as a centre-back and he's also done well on the righthand side, but I thought he was outstanding up front against Doncaster, who are very strong in defence.

"He made two goals for Jonathan Stead, would have had a couple himself but for fantastic saves by Andy Warrington and he ran after everything as well as holding the ball up well - so you can't ask much more.

"I know a lot of people think he's a better centre-back than centre forward, but I think my decision to play him up front proved the right one and I can only see him going on and getting better.

"He was a real threat to them all afternoon and his performance was typical of how he has come to the fore.

"Nat had to be very patient at the start of the season, but he has worked extremely hard in training and his attitude has been excellent."

Jackson revealed that the Stead-Brown partnership was an essential part of regaining the seventh place which was lost last night when Swansea drew 0-0 with Oxford to move up with a point.

"All the lads were told it was no good just hitting high balls forward, because that's exactly what Doncaster would have wanted," he said.

"We wanted balls in to feet, balls down the side of their defence or balls in behind them and it worked a treat with Nat and Steady chasing and harassing like all good forwards should."

Jackson denies any interest in Stoke striker Chris Iwelumo.

"Stoke sent a circular round saying they were willing to let Chris move on," explained Jackson.

"All I did was ask our chief scout, Jeff Lee, to check out a few details about him with their people, it was nothing more than that. It won't come to anything."

Jackson isn't worried about dropping out of the play-off zone at this stage.

"We are in a good position in the table and to have won three on the trot has given us a great deal of confidence for the fixtures to come," he said.

"There will be ups and downs, but we are heading in the right direction and that's all that matters at this point in time."

* The media are guests at tomorrow night's meeting of the Patrons Association (8.00, banqueting suite). Mel Booth will be joined by Paul Ogden and Adam Pope (BBC Radio Leeds), Andy Crawshaw (Home FM), Will Venters (YTV) and Alisdair Straughan (club website).