Town chief Wilshere hails returning full backs during Grecians victory

Luton boss Jack Wilshere was hugely impressed by the performances of both of his full backs, Reuell Walters and Joe Johnson, as they made their comebacks from groin and hamstring injuries during Tuesday night’s Vertu Trophy 4-0 success over Exeter City.

Walters, who signed from Premier League side Arsenal under Rob Edwards in the summer of 2023, had started Town’s first two games of the campaign against AFC Wimbledon and Peterborough United, although was forced off at half time in the latter contest, suffering from a groin issue. He then had a setback during his recuperation in September, but having completed 45 minutes for the U21s in their Premier League Cup defeat against West Bromwich Albion last month, was able to take his place in the side against the Grecians, his first run-out in just under four months.

The 20-year-old impressed during the first half in particular too, showing plenty of strength when winning an early shoulder to shoulder challenge and his attacking intent certainly caught the eye as well, always looking to go forward, one burst upfield ending with a sliderule pass for Lasse Nordas whose shot was tipped onto the bar by visiting keeper Sam Bycroft.

Defensively sound as well, Walters completed an excellent 70 minutes before making way to allow academy graduate Zach Ioannides to earn his senior debut, as his return now gives Town a genuine option at right back if they want to revert to a back four in their League One campaign, as Wilshere and his predecessor Matt Bloomfield often decided to deploy either Christ Makosso or Nigel Lonwijk out of position to fill that role.

Wilshere, who had the England youth international at the Emirates when in charge of the Gunners U18s, said: “They were meant to be playing 60 and we pushed a little bit more which I’m happy about. Reuell is someone I know really well from Arsenal, I know his strengths and I was pleased for him because I’ve seen Reu come back from injury before and sometimes it takes him a little bit of time, but I thought he was really, really good tonight. The one thing we know about Reuell is his pace, his power, and his willingness to defend is amazing, but I thought he showed some really nice moments with the ball as well.”

Meanwhile, Johnson came through the ranks at Luton, as following his senior debut in April 2023, went on to play twice in the Premier League and has also represented England at the U17s World Cup, before featuring for the Young Lions at U18s and U19s level too. He made eight appearances last term as Town were relegated from the Championship, but then suffered a hamstring injury during the pre-season friendly against Southend which required an operation, meaning he is just now back available again, handed his first start since the 2-0 defeat at Sunderland in February.

He also produced a display to be proud of, gaining an assist for Nordas’s second goal and looked far more robust than he has at times in his fledgling career with the Hatters, as Wilshere continued: “JJ is someone who I really like. He’s only been training for a couple of weeks, so I’ve not seen him in a game and I thought he showed a real intelligence. Sometimes he used the space inside and then he recognised it’s probably too tight and I need to get outside, so two really interesting players I think can help us.

“I liked him in training and especially in tight spaces, he’s got really good technical ability, but you never know until he gets out into a game as it’s a bit different when there’s fans, a bit more pressure from the opposition. Especially being his first game, I was asking him as a full back to come into midfield and be brave, get on the ball and turn. He showed a lot of courage, but also executed a lot of really good things.”