Big call from Wilshere as Luton boss axes keeper Keeley for Bradford clash

Hatters boss Jack Wilshere has made one of his biggest calls as manager by recalling the experienced James Shea and dropping Josh Keeley to the bench for this afternoon’s League One clash against Bradford City.

The 35-year-old, who was an ever-present when Town won the Vertu Trophy last season, playing in the final at Wembley, hasn’t started a third tier contest since the 1-0 defeat at Exeter City on New Year's Day. In fact, you have to go back to May 2023 for the last time Shea was named in the starting line-up for a league match at home, that coming when Luton played out a goalless draw with Hull City in the Championship.

Having played all but one League One match last term, Keeley’s form has come under scrutiny this term, conceding 13 goals in just six matches, including five at Mansfield, while he was at fault for Stevenage’s first in Luton’s 2-1 defeat last week, plus one of Jack Marriott’s hat-trick in their 4-3 triumph on the opening day at Reading, beaten from range with shots to his right-hand side.

Shea is one of five changes to be made, Harrison Ashby back from injury, joining Emilio Lawrence, Kasey Palmer and Jake Richards in returning to the side, as Gideon Kodua, Jamie Donley and Izzy Jones dropped to the bench, Joe Johnson missing out completely. One good piece of news for Town was that midfielder Jordan Clark was also fit enough to be named in the match-day squad, although will wear a mask to protect the jaw he broke almost a month ago against Notts County.

Hatters: James Shea, Harrison Ashby, Hakeem Odoffin, Mads Andersen, George Johnston, Emilio Lawrence, Liam Walsh ©, Dan Gore, Jake Richards, Kasey Palmer, Callum Marshall. Subs: Josh Keeley, Kal Naismith, Nahki Wells, Jamie Donley, Gideon Kodua, Izzy Jones, Jordan Clark.

Bantams: Jon McCracken, Ibou Touray, Callum Connolly, Josh Neufville, Jake Beesley, Antoni Sarcevic, Aden Baldwin, George Pratt, Kayden Jackson, Bobby Pointon, Matt Pennington. Subs: Cameron Dawson, Macaulay Gillesphey, Adam Phillips, Stephen Humphrys, Kieran Morgan, Nick Powell, Corey O'Keeffe. Referee: Ross Martin.