The gaffer oversaw his players more than hold their own head-to-head with Premier League opposition and preserve their unbeaten run in pre-season – with five wins and a draw leading into next week’s Championship opener.

“It was a real worthwhile exercise, Nathan said. “You’re playing against a top Premier League, there was real quality right throughout, it was a real good test in how we played, we moved the ball, they have internationals right throughout the side and I was really happy.

“We didn’t sit in, we went after them, pressed them and showed real quality and desire to go and win a football match. All that was lacking was a touch of composure in the final third because we had a lot of situations in the final third without creating as much as we normally do.”

Ethan Horvath and Alfie Doughty made their first starts at Kenilworth Road whilst Cauley Woodrow and Carlton Morris were introduced just after the hour.

On the summer recruitments, Jones added: "They will only get better. We’ve only had four weeks of pre-season, it has been a really quick turnaround this year. We’ve added more athleticism to our squad with Carlton and Alfie. Cauley’s guile, it has been a very good window for us so we’re happy with the recruitment and what we’ve done.”