Proud Luton chief watches on as Justin goes up against Stacey in the Premier League

James Justin gets away from a challenge during Leicester's 4-1 defeat to Bournemouth on Sunday

Hatters boss Nathan Jones was brimming with pride to watch of his former Luton charges James Justin and Jack Stacey go head-to-head in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon.

The pair, who were at Kenilworth Road last term, both earning big money moves away in the summer, were lining up in defence for Leicester City and Bournemouth.

It was Stacey who got the better of things, convincingly too, the Cherries triumphing 4-1, but Jones, who was an interested onlooker, said: “I was very proud and I think everyone at Luton Town Football Club and the fans should have been proud watching that game, to have two players, playing at that level.

“JJ was homegrown, Jack Stacey, we bought for a fraction of his value now.

“What we always say at this club when we take them is if they move quicker than we do, effectively, then we don’t stand in anyone’s way and that’s been the case.

“I was watching that with sheer pride.

"At the training ground, I watched the game and it’s brilliant to see two of our boys – and they’re our boys – we remember them doing so well and we’re just so, so happy for them."

The duo were the full backs during the Hatters’ League One title triumph last term, staying put despite both having the chance to move to bigger teams prior to their eventual departures.

Justin, who came through the ranks, played 114 times scoring six goals, while Stacey arrived from Reading, making 95 appearances and netting five times, as he won a host of prizes at the club's end of season awards do.

Jones added: “To be fair to them, they both had opportunities to move.

"Jack did (to West Bromwich Albion), it didn’t happen and then he just got on with it and had his best season.

“JJ was exactly the same, he trusted the process.

"He’s got a fantastic family and obviously we know about his dad who was a big influence on him.

"Praise the Lord he had that and also his advisers, they trusted us and we did that.

“(They were) wonderful people to have at the club as they developed and got to a (better) level."