Hatters midfielder back in light training as he recovers from broken jaw

Luton boss Jack Wilshere doesn’t expect midfielder Jordan Clark to be out for too much longer as he looks to make his comeback from the broken jaw suffered against Notts County last month.

The 32-year-old, who signed a new contract to remain at Kenilworth Road in the summer after the most prolific season of his career last term, was looking to open his account for the campaign during the opening stages of the contest with the Magpies, when Emilio Lawrence dinked a cross to the back post.

However, he was cleaned out by a covering defender when attempting to head into the net, and after extensive on-field treatment, was stretchered off and immediately taken to hospital, where it was revealed he had undergone surgery and faced a period of rehabilitation. With that match now being just over three weeks ago, asked for an update on the popular player this afternoon, Wilshere said: “Jordan Clark is back training, non-contact obviously, he’s been back probably for about nine or 10 days now.

"He started running, then he got on the balls and we’re waiting for a mask to come for him. Then it’s about how comfortable he is wearing the mask, how much we can increase his training over the next seven to 10 days. I thought at the time when it happened that it would be a really, really long one. Don’t get me wrong, it’s about two or three weeks now which is frustrating for him and for us, as we know how much we need Clicks, but I don’t expect it to be too much longer.”

On how much of a boost it is having him back with the squad again, Wilshere continued: “It’s been massive. The energy he brings, ever since it happened, he had five or six days away from the training ground, but he’s been desperate to get back. He’s been in every meeting, he’s talking to the players still, he’s a leader and someone who really understands the club. So for me, for the players, for the fans, we want him back quickly.”

Town have been hit by several injuries already this term, as Shayden Morris and Jayden Luker both suffered hamstring issues, while Sverre Sandal is also out with a knee problem as well. On how Luker and Morris are progressing, Wilshere added: “He’s (Luker) doing okay, him and Shayden, I call them the hamstring gang as they’re getting close, doing their rehab together.

"Again I don’t think Jayden or Shayden are really that close (to being back). We have to make sure that they come back at the right time, while also work on other things, particularly with Jayden. Shayden’s a little bit older and at a different stage of his career, but Jayden needs to find some consistency. He was injured last year, I know that was a knee injury which sometimes you can’t help, but when you’ve missed football, you need to work on other things, so we’re working with him that when he comes back, he’ll stay back.”