Luton chief explains why midfielder was left out against Stockport

Luton boss Jack Wilshere revealed midfielder Liam Walsh missed out on the match-day squad for the 1-1 draw against Stockport County on Saturday due to a need to manage his minutes.

The 28-year-old had been a regular starter since Wilshere took over in October, starting 15 league games in a row before illness and a shoulder injury sidelined him for the next five third tier matches, returning for the 1-1 draw at Port Vale and starring in the 2-1 Vertu Trophy success over Northampton Town. Walsh was then on the bench for the 3-2 home defeat to Reading, coming on midway through the second period, then going on to start against Doncaster Rovers, Wycombe Wanderers and Exeter City, his pinpoint corners setting up Kasey Palmer for goals in the latter two matches.

He was then surprisingly left out of the entire match-day squad at the weekend, with Jake Richards coming in, and asked why that was in his post match press conference, Wilshere said: “Liam was one that we had to manage. We’ve spoken about that before, he’s not injured, we just had to manage his minutes, his load, to make sure that he’s okay. He’s given a lot, he’s one that in the last two games, had his highest numbers of the season, so not injured and frustrating, but we had to.”

With Walsh missing out, it meant midfielder George Saville was alongside Jordan Clark, which allowed Kasey Palmer to move further forward, as the Northern Ireland international excelled during the contest, delivering one of, if not his best performance in a Luton shirt since arriving on a free transfer, making way in the final two minutes having run himself into the ground.

Wilshere was also left impressed with the 32-year-old, who has now started six of the last seven league encounters, adding: “George has given everything. I had to take him off at the end as I thought he was really tired, he’s given a lot the last three games. He’s led the team, he’s almost like the coach on the pitch. He’s dictating, telling people where to go and his leadership skills over the last three games have been excellent and I think as well he’s improved with his performances.”