Hatters chief has his eye on 'one or two' youngsters in the academy at Kenilworth Road

Town boss Nathan Jones believes there are a few youngsters in the club’s academy that are worth keeping an eye on for the future.

The Luton chief has been a long-time promoter of youth during his time as manager at Kenilworth Road, giving a number of academy graduates their first team debut in his opening stint at the helm.

He knows it will be tougher this time with the club now in the Championship, but after watching the FA Youth Cup clash with West Ham that Hatters lost on penalties recently, Jones said: “There were some youngsters in there that did well on the night and one or two that we have our eye on, but they have to keep putting in performances, and even better performances to continue their career.

“I think it’s early yet, but the ball is in motion.

“They’re on the pathway, there’s one or two that have trained with us, and we regularly use members of the development squad and the youth team for our shape.

“So, we know they’re there, they’re on our radar, it’s just what do we want to achieve?

“That’s the most difficult thing with the academy, because the first-team has evolved really quickly, then standards have to go up.

“When some of them first signed, we were a League Two club.

“They then attained League Two standards, but within two years we were a Championship team, which is a totally different ball game.

“Everything goes up, the athleticism, the quality, professionalism, everything has to go through the roof and that, sometimes, is difficult for a young one to do because it’s natural progression.”

On the cup clash, which saw Town hit back from 2-0 and 3-2 down to draw 3-3 before heading out on spot-kicks, he added: “I was at the game, it was frustrating because, similar to when we went to Cardiff, they were 2-0 down very quickly and then showed some great character to come back.

“We lost to a Category 1 Premier League outfit, so they acquitted themselves very well. These are the things where they get tested and that’s a marquee game.

“It’s disappointing to go out because, since I came here, we’ve taken it very seriously.

“When Paul Driver was here, we had a really fantastic run and there was a good group where you could really see players getting in the first team and that’s what we want to create here."