Hatters boss would love another Boxing Day strike from Cornick

Luton boss Nathan Jones is hoping that attacker Harry Cornick can break his duck for the Hatters this season and score for the fourth consecutive Boxing Day in a row.

The 25-year-old has always netted on the day after Christmas Day, starting at Swindon Town in 2017, when he scored the fourth in Town’s stunning 5-0 win.

He bagged the second as Luton triumphed 2-0 at Scunthorpe United in 2018 and then made it 3-2 to Town against Fulham last year, although the Cottagers hit back to level late on.

Cornick is yet to find the net in 17 appearances this term, his last goal for the Hatters coming back in the 1-1 draw with Leeds on June 30, a season in which he finished with nine league goals, a career-high tally.

On whether the former Bournemouth winger is being asked to adapt to a new position for the side this term, Jones said: “He is playing a slightly different role, because he’s played a little bit wider at times, but’s he’s also played down the middle.

“A lot will be made of goals, but as long as Harry puts in a level of performance, that’s all we can ask for.

"Goals will come for Harry and hopefully he can get one on Boxing Day.

“But, what we have to do is make sure that he’s focused, his mind’s in the right place and that he produces for the team because, if he does that, he’s a real good asset for us.

“He’s someone that stretches the play and puts us on the front foot with his pace and directness and that’s always a threat for us.”

Cornick was on the bench for the weekend’s 0-0 draw with Bournemouth, coming on with an hour gone and might have won the game had Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall's cross in stoppage time not been cleared away before he could tap home.

Jones added: “He’s a key member of what we do.

"We brought him out against Bournemouth because we felt we were just going to really take the brunt of everything and then bring him on when the game opened up, and it did.

“To be honest with you, if the boy hadn’t put it over his bar in the final minute, Harry’s there to tap that in. The game plan almost worked in terms of winning the game.

“But we have squad members and there’s a couple of them that haven’t scored, so we’ll be looking for a few to get off the mark.

“But, as long as the team performs well, as a manager you do want your front men to score goals, but realistically, I don’t mind who scores.”