Keeper Shea named in starting line-up for Luton's Premier League Cup clash at Colchester

First team goalkeeper James Shea has been named in the starting line-up for the Development squad’s must-win Premier League Cup clash against Colchester United this evening.

The 32-year-old is yet to feature for the Hatters this season, as he is currently third choice behind Thomas Kaminski and Tim Krul for the number one position.

He gets a run-out tonight though, by far the most experienced player in a line-up that contains Jayden Luker and Zack Nelson, who were both on the bench for Sunday’s 1-1 draw with Liverpool in the Premier League.

Adrian Forbes’ young team have lost their opening fixtures against Chelsea and Leeds, but did put eight past Kempston Rovers in the Bedfordshire Senior Cup last week.

Speaking about the contest, which takes place at Malden and Tiptree’s Park Drive ground and kicks off at 7pm, Forbes told the club’s official website: “The boys have been in good spirits over the past few days after that result

"We know it’s going to be a completely different challenge against Colchester but the squad is ready and we’re looking forward to it.

“It has been a tough start after two defeats, but in big patches in those games we competed well and it’s up to us to put in a good level of performance in and out of possession against Colchester.

"We’re able to do that then we’re able to get a positive result.”

“We know that if we’re able to, it can put us in a good position going into the Chelsea game next month with nothing to lose.

“The teams we’ve faced already haven’t seen the best of us yet and I know we’ve got so much more to give from what we’ve seen so far.

“The boys will be full of confidence. They’ve prepared well and now it’s down to the players and staff to go and get a result.”

Hatters: James Shea, Christian Chigozie, Jayden Luker, Axel Piesold, Jacob Pinnington, Claude Kayibanda, Josh Phillips, Zack Nelson, Oli Lynch, Jake Burger (C), Millar Matthews-Lewis.

Subs: Marcus Daws, Jameson Horlick, Tyrell Giwa, Archie Heron, Benedict Benagr.

Colchester: Ted Collins, Matt Yates, Jet Dyer, Gene Kennedy, Fiacre Kelleher, Ronnie Nelson, Ryan Lowe, Archie Oliver, Oscar Thorn, Donell THomas, Kenny Mupomba.

Subs: Bailey Berry, T'Aizo Marcel-Dilaver, Milton Oni, Bayan Aman, Harrison Chamberlain.