Pereira challenged to push his way into the Hatters first team reckoning

Attacker Dion Pereira has been challenged to push his way into the first team squad by the Hatters' management staff after his impressive form for the U21s recently.

The 21-year-old moved to Kenilworth Road back in November, along with TQ Addy and Jack Chambers, the trio heading into Town's development ranks.

He has caught the eye since though, being a regular scorer in the development matches, including netting a double during the 3-2 defeat against Gillingham recently.

Pereira, who has played twice in the Premier League for Watford and spent time in America, where he featured regularly for MLS side Atlanta United, has been on the bench once for Luton, that in the 2-0 defeat at Swansea back in December.

However, assistant boss Mick Harford believes he could potentially make an impact over the final nine games of the season, saying: "Dion’s been training with the first team squad for the last week and he's been involved with the development squad as well.

"He’s come in, he’s done really well, he’s a really talented kid, so it’s up to him now.

"We’ve given him the opportunity to come in, we’ve set him some targets, stay with us (first team), can he make the squad? Can he make the bench? Can he get minutes on the pitch?

"So we’ve set Dion targets and he’s responding to it and he's done really well since he’s come into our group.

“He's technically very, very good, he’s a young lad who's learning his way.

"He’s impressed all of us and hopefully he can kick on and make an impact in the squad."