Jasper had not escaped Gary's attention while on loan with Harrogate

JASPER Moon appears to be playing his way back into contention for a regular place with Burton Albion as they work through preseason.

- By COLSTON CRAWFORD

The centre-half has impressed manager Gary Bowyer immediately - and Bowyer says that he would have brought him back from a loan spell with Harrogate Town in January if that had been possible.

Now Moon will be looking to make up for lost time with the Brewers.

He played the second half of the first friendly away to Chesterfield but then the first hour of the next game, away to Alfreton Town.

Against Birmingham City last Saturday, he had 75 minutes and was again part of the "first choice" team that played the first half against Sheffield United on Tuesday night.

He has looked solid and comfortable and one booming pass into Udoka Godwin-Malife's path on the right wing against the Blades was superb.

Moon occupied a unique position among the squad members at the start of last season, when Burton made 23 signings and NFG and then head coach Mark Robinson were deciding who of the existing squad fitted in with what they were aiming to do.