Manager Keith Hill has told Dale Player he is “really, really pleased” that midfielder Matty Lund has put pen to paper on a contract extension.
Lund is the second player to sign an extension this week, after Peter Vincenti committed his long term future to the club on Monday, something which delights the Gaffer.
“I’m trying to put a jigsaw together,” said Hill.
“The signing of Peter Vincenti was a really good signing because Peter is an unbelievable player. He’s a great function for me as a Manager and I will always play Peter if he’s on my side with respect to seeing through my plan and the way I want to do things. It’s essential that I have Peter on the pitch as much as I can when he’s fit, when he’s ready and when he’s up to speed.
“And Matty Lund, for me, is a special ingredient in any jigsaw, so I’m really, really pleased that he has signed.
“I actually thought it would have been harder to get Matty to sign an extension but I think he realises that he probably owes the club a little bit, as well as myself, the supporters and his team-mates because he missed most of last season.
“And I’ve seen a massive transformation in Matty during that time. He has become an unbelievable professional and he knows that football time runs out really quickly.
“There’s a real special talent there and I think while being out for so long last season he has realised that he’s got a lot to do to get where he needs to get but I think he’ll get there.
“I think he has woken up to the fact that he can achieve a lot in the game. I think there’s an elite player in there – physically and technically, and in terms of game knowledge and game management. For me, he has got the lot."
The full interview is available on Dale Player.