EXPERIENCED defender Darren Ward has insisted Nathan Thompson still has a lot to prove despite a succession of impressive displays.

The young right-back has been one of Town’s most consistent performers since taking the place of former captain Paul Caddis following his move to Birmingham, and has been given freedom to get forward by new manager Kevin MacDonald in recent weeks.

Ward has been impressed with the tough-tackling 20-year-old, but has urged him to continue to work hard despite the rave reviews he has been receiving.

“With seven games to go he still has a lot to prove to be honest,” he said.

“Nathan is a very good player, but there are seven very important games to go and we have to concentrate on those seven games rather than trying to big too many players up too early.

“He has great potential, but I have seen many players with great potential, so he needs to concentrate on his seven games before the end of season and keep building his career.”

Having been a joint player-caretaker manager alongside Tommy Miller earlier in the season, Ward believes he and the rest of the experienced players in the squad have a duty to guide the younger players as the race for promotion reaches a conclusion.

“This is where we earn our money, in these situations, because we have to be leaders off the pitch as well as on it,” he said.

“Tommy and I have been lucky enough to have been in similar positions in our careers and to have won promotions, and they are very tricky times as you will probably see in every league at the moment.

“There are many teams faltering, but it’s important we keep the spirits high and make sure the players in the team stay in shape come the end of the season.”

Ward has been a vital part of the Town defence which has helped keep two successive clean-sheets against Yeovil and Notts County, which he believes is down to hard work by all involved.

“It’s always nice to get a clean sheet against two good sides in this league, so we are very happy,” he said.

“That is down to a lot of hard work which we keep doing, so we will just keep going and doing the same things together.

“We work hard, and it takes time to build a partnership, but they are all good lads who work hard for the team, and it’s getting close to the season and we are up there although we would like to be a bit higher up with a few more points.

“There is a lot of competition in defence, maybe more so than any other position at the moment, and although Joe (Devera) is out the team at the moment he is working hard to try and get back in there.”