Ed ready to stake his claim for a Hatters starting place

The full back finished the 2010-11 campaign as first choice left back as Hatters missed out on promotion to League Two on penalties to AFC Wimbledon.

With the likes of Dan Gleeson, Jake Howells and fit-again Freddie Murray all battling for the full back positions, Asafu-Adjaye wants to put his marker down early.

He said: “I think pre-season is one of those times you make sure you stay fit, injury free, which is what I am and what I’m hoping to be for the rest of pre-season.

“I want to be knocking on the manager’s door as in trying to play all the time and hopefully he sees something that he likes and I can get my way in there.”

Tonights opponents Hitchin have already begun their friendlies with a 1-0 defeat to Stevenage, now in League One, on Wednesday night and it’s a result Asafu-Adjaye is looking to better.

He continued: “Pre-season games are always very different from the league, it’s about getting the match fitness.

“Obviously no-one wants to lose a game and someone said at training that they (Hitchin) played Stevenage and lost 1-0, so it would be nice to make sure we can beat that score and put the league into perspective a little bit!”

After tonights game, Hatters then travel to Wales for a mini tour, playing three games in five days, starting at The New Saints on Sunday, and Asafu-Adjaye believes the trip will be of benefit to the squad.

He added: “I’ve only really played at Wrexham before in Wales and Sunday’s game is on a 3G surface, so it will be interesting to play on that. They must be good though as they get into the Champions League.

“It (the tour) is definitely good for the new players. They can gel with all the squad and everybodys gets the chance to get off on the right way.”

To read Asafu-Adjaye’s thoughts on signing a new deal deal at Kenilworth Road, see the Luton News / Dunstable Gazette next Wednesday