Jones: Izzy Brown has to play if Luton are going to stay in the Championship

The 22-year-old limped out of yesterday's 2-1 home defeat to Nottingham Forest with 33 minutes gone holding his hamstring, replaced by Kazenga LuaLua.

Brown has been Town's most creative source in recent weeks, having kick-started his career at Kenilworth Road, with 12 appearances and eight starts in the league since joining, his most since being at Huddersfield in the 2016-17 campaign.

Without him, Luton struggled to make any real clear-cut chances, as despite having 70 per cent possession against the Reds, managed a mere three shots on target, including Callum McManaman's late consolation.

Speaking afterwards, Jones said: “Izzy’s our most creative player and he has to play if we’re going to stay in the league. He has to play, it’s as simple as that."

Brown himself tweeted a fingers crossed emoji yesterday evening, and when asked if the injury was a long term one, Jones added: "I hope not.

"He’s got a problem with his hamstring.

"He’s had huge demands and everybody talks about changing teams last week because of the three games last week. I didn’t change him because he’s so important, then you get this.

“Remember, when you play three games in a week it’s about being able to repeat that physical level, then recover and go again.

"He’s in that period where he hasn’t played football for two years.

"He’s played a lot of games that have maybe caught up with him.”