McQuoid: It's my time to impress Luton boss

The 26-year-old has been sidelined by the problem since Jones’ first game in charge against Cambridge on January 16 and underwent a minor operation.

However, he was back on the bench at Barnet last week and then got his first chance to show Jones what he is capable of during the final half an hour of Town’s 1-0 defeat to Stevenage on Saturday.

McQuoid said: “That is one of the main things as everyone else has had that time in training and matches to show him what they’re about, but now it’s my turn just to make sure that I impress him and do what I can to show him I’m a good player.

“Under a new manager, players are looking to impress in matches and in training, so for me to get injured straight away has been a frustrating time.

“Even watching the games and watching training, I just wanted to get out there, but hopefully I’m back now and touch wood keep fit and really push on.

“The gaffer’s a top man, he will speak to you, won’t leave you out and if he thinks something he’ll tell you.

“So that’s been good for me, he talks to you a lot and I thank him for that.

“I was in training every day, was coming to home matches, getting in the mix, but you don’t feel as part of it as much as you would do if you were playing or in the squad, so just to be back around that now is good.”

Jones has already stated he was aware just what McQuoid was capable of prior to taking over at Kenilworth Road and McQuoid was delighted to hear that his manager was knowledgeable about what he can bring to the side.

However, the former Bournemouth striker wants to continue to prove his worth saying: “I think he’s mentioned that before a few times, so it’s nice to know someone knows a bit about you so don’t have to impress all the time.

“But I’m still willing to do that every day and show him what I’m about.”

There is a place available now too with Mackail-Smith looking likely to miss the rest of the season as McQuoid said: “You don’t want anyone to get injured, but there are injuries at the minute, so there’s a chance to get a starting place.

“It’s always good to have competition anyway, we’ve got that all around the pitch, so its good for me to make sure I keep working hard.”

McQuoid, who has now made 29 appearances, scoring four times, is hoping for an injury-free final month, adding: “It was the cartilage on the outside of my knee that was damaged when I went in for a challenge. It wasn’t really anything too serious in terms of knees, but I had to have it operated on.

“Simon (Parsell), Dave (Richardson) and even Daz (Cook) have all been great with me, helping me come back fit .

“Now it’s time for me to make sure I keep on top if it, keep fit over the summer and make sure this sort of thing doesn’t happen again.”