Hatters boss has a decision to make after reiterating his desire to play Jones at right back
Winger has played four games recently but none in Town’s back-line
Luton boss Jack Wilshere has a decision on his hands over who to pick as right back against Burton Albion at the weekend, after reiterating his desire to give winger Izzy Jones an opportunity to play in the position he sees suiting him best.
The 26-year-old returned from two months out with ankle ligament damage in January, his second stint on the sidelines this term following a stress fracture to his back, when he was named on the bench for the 1-0 victory over Blackpool. Brought on after the interval, Jones took over from Shayden Morris on the right wing on that occasion, before used once more the following week in the 2-1 success over Bradford City, deployed on the left flank this time, as he almost found the net, curling wide and then denied by visiting keeper Sam Walker.
In from the start against Cardiff last weekend, Jones completed 90 minutes, utilised on the right wing in the first half, as it was his run into the box that led to the visitors winning a penalty converted by Jordan Clark, and then swapping to the left flank for the second period. He kept his place for Wednesday night’s trip to Wigan Athletic as well, this time beginning on the left wing once more in what was a changed 4-4-2 formation, almost earning the visitors another spotkick with one sprightly burst, before making way late on.
All of these outings came after Wilshere stated recently that he saw the former Middlesbrough player’s best role as that of a right back, a position he revealed Jones had actually told him was his favourite, which prevented him from strengthening in that area of the field during the transfer window, and also letting Reuell Walters go out on loan to join third tier rivals Blackpool.
With on-loan Wolverhampton Wanderers centre half Nigel Lonwijk never fully cementing his place there this term, struggling against a tricky attacker in the Latics' Joe Hungbo during the second period in midweek, asked if he would finally look to give the Guyana international an opportunity, Wilshere said: “Yes, but what I like about Izzy is he is very versatile and he gives you a lot of quality in a few positions. Left wing, right wing, probably at Cardiff as well he was left back for a bit, but I agree, his best position is right back.
"Sometimes with the way we play and JJ’s (Joe Johnson) played and we’re asking him to be a little bit more adventurous, you kind of need three centre back profiles then and that’s why Nigel’s played there, that and Izzy hasn’t been available. So we’ve got two different options now where Nigel’s more of a defensive type, but Izzy gives you something going forward as well. So I have to make that decision. It’s a good decision I think to have where you’ve got variation in how you want to attack again, but Izzy will play right back as well.”
Having made just four appearances before being forced off at half time against Barnsley in November, then after that impressive cameo against Bradford City earlier this month, Jones hasn't quite reached the levels that saw viewed as a force to be reckoned with in a higher division when at the Riverside Stadium, his touch when dribbling forward going astray at times.
Wilshere believes that will come with the more minutes he gets on the field though, adding: “He was out for a long time and credit to him he came back and played 90 minutes which is not easy, especially against a tough team who ask you to defend a lot and put you under a lot of pressure which he did against Cardiff. Then he played again so he’s building his fitness, there’s more to come from Izzy I’m sure of that, but at the same time we have to be careful as well.”