Devastating news for Adebayo as Luton striker is ruled out for the season
Hip injury means forward won’t feature again this campaign
Luton Town have announced that striker Elijah Adebayo has been sadly ruled out for the remainder of the season after suffering a hip injury.
The 28-year-old had only just made his way back into the first team after almost a year away due to a serious knee injury, named in the squad for the 2-1 victory at Wycombe Wanderers recently, coming off the bench to a wonderful ovation in the final few minutes. He then had even longer during the 3-2 success over Exeter City last Tuesday night, but after coming on against the Grecians, quickly appeared to be in some discomfort and was holding his hip in the closing stages.
It meant Adebayo was absent from Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Stockport County, with the Hatters breaking the news this morning that his campaign is unfortunately over. A statement on the club’s website said: “We are sorry to report that striker Elijah Adebayo has suffered an injury to his hip, which will now rule him out of action for the remainder of the season.
“It is a devastating blow to Elijah, who has worked so hard to get back out on a pitch following the ACL injury he suffered almost a year ago. Sadly, having made his return as a substitute in the win at Wycombe, he suffered the fresh injury after coming on in the closing stages of last Tuesday’s victory against Exeter, and underwent surgery yesterday.”
Manager Jack Wilshere, who had been so keen to keep the forward, with 47 goals from 184 games since arriving from Walsall in January 2021, around the squad even when he was injured, was gutted by the news as well, adding: “We are all devastated for Eli because we’ve seen how much he’s put in, both physically and emotionally, to get back playing this season and help us out on the pitch. He’s been a massive support for me in my early months here off the pitch, with the way he’s conducted himself around the training ground and getting involved on a matchday in the weeks leading up to his return, and then helping us see out the two wins last week.
“I know from personal experience what it’s like to suffer injuries so soon after coming back, and it’s just such bad luck that this has happened when Eli had so much to look forward to with the team over the coming weeks. We’ll all get around him and support him, as I know he will continue to do for the rest of the lads too, as he’s been such a big part of this club’s recent history and the positive environment we are trying to build.”