Naismith keeps his place as Luton make two changes for Port Vale

Luton boss Jack Wilshere has made two changes for this afternoon’s League One clash against Port Vale, opting to keep faith with skipper Kal Naismith despite his disappointing performance against Leyton Orient on Tuesday night.

The Hatters manager has brought back Milli All for his first league start since Wilshere’s first match in charge against Mansfield, while centre half Mads Andersen is also in, Lamine Fanne dropping to the bench, with Jerry Yates missing out completely. Midfielder Jordan Clark remains among the substitutes despite his excellent cameo in midweek, joined by striker Nahki Wells again, the experienced forward having been injured during the 5-0 loss at Barnsley last month.

The biggest talking point is Naismith keeping his place though as he suffered a difficult night on Tuesday evening, jeered by his own supporters at time in east London, as despite Wilshere admitted a decision would be taken over whether to drop him or not, he has remained in the starting XI. Town will be clear favourites against a Valiants side who haven’t won since September 27, while despite hammering Barnsley 5-0 themselves in the FA Cup recently, are without a league goal for six matches, a run stretching over nine hours, back to October 11.

Leading scorer Devante Cole, son of Newcastle and Manchester United legend Andrew, has six to his name this term though, as on the forward, Wilshere said: “He’s probably learned a little bit from his dad. He’s a little bit different to his dad I would say, he’s obviously got the smell for goals like his dad and he’s someone we’re going to have to control and look after, especially in transition moments.

"We know how much of a threat he is when they play into him and they get players close to him. They’ve got some good players and I always say it doesn’t really matter the league position as if you allow teams to have the ball and you’re not aggressive and you’re not doing everything you can to get the ball, then teams will hurt you. So we need to make sure that we’re doing everything that when we are good we’re doing and we’ll try and do that.”

Going up against Wilshere in the dug-out is Darren Moore, who has been in management for seven years now, with spells at West Bromwich Albion, Doncaster Rovers, Sheffield Wednesday and Huddersfield Town. The Hatters chief added: “I remember watching him when he was the West Brom manager and he was a little bit harshly done by. A good coach and you can tell he’s a real leader, as when he speaks people listen to him. I remember when he first started coaching, it seems like that was yesterday but he’s got a lot of experience now since the West Brom job he had. He’s been to a few different places, we’ll welcome him and hopefully we’ll beat him, but then we’ll have a nice chat after.”

Hatters: Josh Keeley, Nigel Lonwijk, Teden Mengi, Mads Andersen, Kal Naismith, Gideon Kodua, George Saville, Liam Walsh, Cohen Bramall, Milli Alli, Nahki Wells. Subs: James Shea, Shayden Morris, Jordan Clark, Lasse Nordas, Nahki Wells, Lamine Fanne, Christ Makosso.

Valiants: Ben Amos, Jaheim Headley, Ben Heneghan, Connor Hall, George Byers (C), Funso Ojo, Ruari Paton, Ben Waine, Kyle John, George Hall, Devante Cole. Subs: Joe Gauci, Jayden Stockley, Dajaune Brown, Rhys Walters, Ryan Croasdale, Jesse Debrah, Modou Faal. Referee: Lee Swabey.