Loan watch special - Jordan's senior priority

For Jordan Archer, regular first team football is key this season.

The Scotland Under-21 international was named on the first team bench five times last term, in addition to making 14 appearances in the Barclays Under-21 Premier League.

He was also in and around the senior squad in the latter months of 2012-13, being named as a substitute for the first time in our trip to Swansea City on March 30, 2013.

Keen to push on this term, he travelled with the first team on our Tour of the US and Canada in the summer where he was set to serve as a back-up to Brad Friedel with Hugo Lloris yet to return from international duty.

However, an unfortunately-timed illness prior to the first game in Seattle meant he was forced to fly home early.

Upon his recovery, the 21-year-old joined League Two Northampton Town on loan in search of game time and in a bid to keep up his match fitness. Since then, in his own words, he hasn’t looked back.

“Senior football is the most important thing for me at the moment,” said the Walthamstow-born stopper.

“I’m getting to that age now where I’ve got to start pushing for regular first team football. The last few years training with the lads have been good. Hugo Lloris and Brad Friedel have helped put me in good stead but now it’s all about getting out there in front of fans and playing for three points.

“I was in League Two a couple of seasons ago with Wycombe so I know all about it. It is a very physical league, but it’s good experience so I can’t complain.”

On the bench in the opening weeks of Northampton’s campaign, Jordan made his debut in a Capital One Cup tie at AFC Bournemouth on August 26. His league bow followed at Newport County on September 13 and since then he’s been ever-present for the Cobblers on the domestic stage.

Currently on 13 appearances in all competitions following Friday’s 2-1 reverse at Cambridge United, Jordan says he’s enjoying life at Sixfields and is happy in his loan surroundings.

“It’s a good club with good staff, they’ve got a good following and they’re building a new stand at the stadium now so they’re obviously a club looking to push on,” he added.

“I went there on the back of having an illness in pre-season so it did take me a couple of weeks to get back to full speed, but then I got my break when I came back from international duty and since then I haven’t looked back.”

One date in the near future that Jordan has marked on his calendar is November 29. That’s when Northampton travel to face a Southend United side with whom Jordan’s fellow Spur Shaq Coulthirst is currently enjoying a loan spell.

“I’m looking forward to that, I’ve noted that down!” he said. “It’s in a couple of weeks’ time so it’ll be great to come up against Shaq. They’re doing quite well to be fair to them, so I’m looking forward to it.”

And if fate has it that the Shrimpers win a penalty and Shaq steps up against Jordan?

“Of course I’m saving it! I can read Shaq’s penalties all day long! No, seriously, I’m confident but Shaq’s a good lad and it’ll be good to see him.”