Former Burton Albion manager Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink is glad that his former Brewers charges are adapting to the Championship, and singled out Matty Palmer for praise during Albion's 2-1 win over Birmingham City earlier this month.

Palmer had been one of the causalities of the Brewers' Championship success story - with current boss Nigel Clough opting for a more pragmatic style of play as he steered Albion to an historic Championship survival.

The likes of Tom Naylor, skipper John Mousinho, Lucas Akins, Damien McCrory and Palmer have all survived the rise from League Two to the Championship - and last season they all got a good amount of game-time under their belts.

That has also been the case this term, with the likes of Palmer, Naylor and McCrory all featuring regularly in the league so far.

Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink celebrates Burton Albion's League Two title win in 2015
Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink celebrates Burton Albion's League Two title win in 2015

And for ex-Albion manager Hasselbaink - who has been out of work since October of last year having been sacked by Queens Park Rangers, the club he joined from Albion in December 2015 - was beaming with pride having watched the match with chairman Ben Robinson.

The former Leeds United and Chelsea striker had guided Burton to the top of League One by the time of his departure, with Clough coming in and steering them to a second promotion in as many years.

"I was very happy to see Matt Palmer doing well," Hasselbaink said after the Brewers' victory over the Blues.

"I thought in the second half, or when the manager changed it and put him on the left, tucking in, he became more dangerous."

Matt Palmer has seen his place in the side limited under Clough
Matt Palmer has seen his place in the side limited under Clough

"I like his maturity - he is getting mature, he is taking the ball, he is passing, and he brings a kind of calmness to the team that I like.

"And I think he will keep on improving, and it's nice to see Tommy Naylor playing at right-back and keeping it as his own.

"And Lucas, he is always going to give you 100 per cent, running down the wing."