Luton swoop to secure winger Martin

The 27-year-old former Southend United winger was released by the play-off-chasing League Two club last week and signed an 18-month deal with Luton.

Town boss Paul Buckle enthused: “We’ve got him. The way it works at the club, I choose the player, Gary (Sweet) sorts that side out of it for me.

“I will tell Gary which players I think will improve us and Gary goes and tries to sort the deal out which is right for our club.

“If it’s not right for the club it don’t happen, if it is right for the club the player comes in.

“That’s how it works and I’m comfortable with that and I was really pleased when we go that one over the line because I think he will add to what we’ve got.

“He’s something different and I really feel our fans will love him. Our supporters will love his flair and the way he takes people on.

“He will go past his man. He’s an out-and-out winger Dave Martin and he’s someone at times, maybe one or two around him will have to do a little bit more running in terms of for him.

“Because he’s a bit like (Andre) Gray really, he travels up the pitch with the ball and takes a lot of energy.

“He’s definitely someone who will improve us. I will be amazed if he doesn’t improve us and I will be amazed if our fans don’t love him.”

Martin was out of contract at Roots Hall in the summer and our sister paper the Herald & Post last week revealed Luton’s potential interest.

He has made 25 starts and 10 substitute appearances since joining from Derby in January 2012, scoring four goals.

Martin has over 100 senior appearances to his name, has enjoyed loan spells at Notts County and Walsall in 2011 and has also played for Millwall, Crystal Palace and Dartford and has commanded fees totalling £75,000.

His signature will give Hatters more options and balance, especially with such a busy fixture list ahead.

Buckle said: “(Scott) Neilson’s been playing left, obviously (JJ) O’Donnell got injured and I decided to give (Jake) Howellsy a bit of a rest.

“It gives a chance now for Neilson to go on the right, because Neilson that’s actually where he prefers to play.

“It gives a chance for Neilson to go right, with obviously (Alex) Lawless there as well, doubles up in that position which I’m going to need with so many games.

“And it balances it out nicely on the other side because Howells can obviously play at full-back for us and then you’ve got O’Donnell who’s had so much football this season.

“He’s had a lot more football than I expected and it would be nice to be able to freshen it up with Dave when I see fit.”

The January transfer window closes on Thursday and Buckle is hoping to add two more, with a commanding centre-half still topping his list.

He added: “There’s lots of stuff going on. I’m keen to add to the squad with the number of games we’re going to have to fit in in a short space of time.

“I don’t feel the squad is big enough. The club understand that. We’re desperately trying to sign a minimum three to bring in and help the boys.

“And at the moment there’s lots of things ongoing. But the focus now, from today, is going to be on this game, that’s what we’re going to do.

“I was probably looking in the centre-half position for somebody with experience, leader-type maybe.

“(Lathaniel) Rowe-Turner’s doing an amazing job at centre-half at the moment but by trade he’s a full-back.

“They’re difficult, they’re few and far between. We had a great one in George (Pilkington) before, and this is a type I’m looking for that’s fit and able and that search will go on right until deadline.

“You can very rarely tick every box signing a player. That’s no disrespect, it’s very difficult, but as long as I can get five or six of those boxes ticked I will be happy. And one of them will be he has to fit into what we’re doing.

“I’m keen to bring somebody in for the rest of the season, I don’t really want to do a month unless that’s right for all three parties.

“And what I mean by that is our club, the player and the club that’s going to be loaning the player.

“I would rather commit to something between now and the end of the season because I don’t want to disrupt what we’ve put together.

“We’ve got a small squad but we make up for that size of squad for what we have in the belief in each other and the team spirit.

“I don’t really want to risk that by just bringing in someone in short term, I would like to bring one or two in long term.”

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