Hatters in talks with three players over new contracts

Luton Town have confirmed they are in talks with three of their squad regarding new contracts at Kenilworth Road, midfield duo Jordan Clark and Liam Walsh, plus striker Elijah Adebayo.

Top scorer Clark has just completed the most prolific campaign of his career, scoring 13 goals, including five penalties, as his popularity was proven once more when walking away with four prizes at the Luton Town Supporters’ Trust end of season awards do recently. The 32-year-old, who signed in August 2020, has made 220 appearances since then, with 31 goals, part of the squad who made it to the Premier League, as he netted in the play-off final win over Coventry City, also on target in the penalty shootout as well.

Clark himself has admitted he would like to stay at the club recently, when saying: “Hopefully I stay here for another six years. I’ve never wanted to leave and to be truthful I could have maybe gone in the summer, but I felt that little bit of debt to the club, especially after the back-to-back relegations, as that West Brom game was a really dark day. It was tough, I’ll never forget that, but I’ve had the highest of the highs here and the lowest of the lows, and nothing more than I’d love is to help get this club back to the Championship. Full focus on the games and then I’ll sit down with the club and hopefully we can get something sorted.”

Meanwhile, discussing the former Accrington and Barnsley player, who was one of the first names on the teamsheet since he took over, with 41 outings this term, Wilshere, speaking in February, knew his importance to the side, particularly when stepping up from 12 yards, saying: "I said at that time that he’ll take another penalty for us, an important penalty for us, and he’ll score. He’s done two since then, so you need a big player in those moments who’s confident, who can take responsibility and Clicks has done that so much for us this season. He’s important for us, we need him.”

Fellow midfielder Walsh is another player who has had without doubt one of, if not the best, seasons of his professional career, making 40 appearances in total, weighing in with two goals and eight assists as well. Discussing his efforts recently, Wilshere had stated: “He’s really important with the ball, but I also think defensively he’s improved so much. He’s the one who takes the ball under pressure, he wants to turn it forward. He’s also got the ability to play in behind and I’m really happy with how his season has gone.

"I know before we got here there was probably a doubt around how his fitness more than anything, but he’s managed to show that he can play Saturday, Tuesday, Saturday and produced big numbers consistently. I speak to Walshy a lot, and work with him a lot. Sometimes he does like playing in there with someone else, as if he does play in there with someone else, especially if someone rotates into that position, he’s freer, so he can get on the ball, but he’s someone who can take the ball under pressure for us. He’s someone that is important for us.”

Finally forward Adebayo had hoped to feature in the Hatters’ end of the campaign having worked his way back to full fitness after suffering a serious knee injury in April of last year. He came on in the 2-1 win at Wycombe Wanderers to a stunning ovation from the visiting fans, once more when introduced at home in the 3-2 victory over Exeter City, although suffered a hamstring issue which required surgery, ending his campaign.

Having scored 47 goals in 184 matches, Wilshere clearly hopes to have him available for the new campaign, as a club statement about the trio said: “Contract discussions remain ongoing with midfielders Jordan Clark and Liam Walsh with a view to extending their careers in Bedfordshire, as well as striker Elijah Adebayo who is continuing his rehabilitation from surgery during the close season at The Brache.”