Sam Deering’s lively showing as a substitute at Northampton probably kept him in the U’s squad for the next game.

Even though Alfie Potter was fit again, Deering remained as one of the subs for Tuesday’s clash with Shrewsbury, Matt Green this time dropping out.

But manager Chris Wilder has stressed that Deering needs to keep his standards up.

“We said afterwards, Sam came on and gave us a spark and was lively, and it is sometimes difficult when you come on as a sub.”

So where does Deering stand, now that he has returned from his loan spell at Blue Square Bet Premier side Newport County?

“I’ll always try and improve players. Sometimes the players have got to help themselves, which I’ve said to Sam,” Wilder stated.

“We wouldn’t have offered him an extension if we didn’t think there was a player in there.

“I’ve gone over old ground in terms of Sam . . . he’s come back, he’s got to realise that he’s at a good club with good players.

“This is a great football club that treats players very well, and gives him an opportunity of improving.

“But he’s got to do it himself as well.

“If he doesn’t, he’s got to understand his future might be elsewhere.

“If he does, and works hard – he’s only a young kid – then when the door opens, he jumps in it.

“My view on him hasn’t changed.

“He’s a good player, but the way he deals with certain other aspects has to change.

“If he does that, then he’ll have a future here.”