Town open to signing a striker despite Adebayo and Al-Hamadi closing in on return

​Luton boss Jack Wilshere hasn’t ruled out entering the transfer market for a striker this month despite having both Elijah Adebayo and Ali Al-Hamadi on the comeback trail.

​The Hatters forwards have struggled massively for goals in League One this season, particularly from open play, managing just two between them, with only Jerry Yates and Lasse Nordas, who went on loan to SC Heerenveen last week, able to find the net so far. Yates’ other goal has been from the penalty spot against Plymouth Argyle in September, as Nahki Wells’ one strike in the third tier came in the same game, when he also converted a spotkick as Town were beaten 3-2 on home soil.

With Jacob Brown and Joe Gbode both unable to score too, the pair left out of Luton’s match-day squads recently by Wilshere, it has left a gaping hole in the final third for the Hatters, which is thankfully being filled by Gideon Kodua, who is now up to nine for the campaign and long-serving midfielder Jordan Clark, with eight, the pair both netting in each of Town’s last three home matches.

Ipswich forward Al-Hamadi was hailed as a vital signing when joining in August, but after eventually recovering from a calf injury, has been out since mid-November with a quad problem suffered on international duty with Iraq, as Adebayo continues to make his way back from a serious knee injury suffered in April of last year. Asked whether he would look for striking reinforcements during the January transfer window, or wait for the duo to return, Wilshere said: “With Eli I wouldn’t like to say how long he’ll be as even when he does start fully training which he’s not yet, he’ll still need some time to see how he is.

"He’ll probably need some 21s games as well just to get used to playing and find his rhythm again, so we’ll give him time. Ali is probably a little bit closer just due to the nature of the injury. It wasn't as bad as Eli’s but I think you have to be open to anything, you have to keep looking to see if the right opportunity comes up. We’ve got some nines here, Nahki, who I think it's clear to see that I really like and really enjoy working with, Jerry’s a different option that I think has done well, especially recently when he’s come on in home games, he gives you different options.

"I also think when you have the option when you bring in a winger that can also use the inside then it starts to bring the nines into play a little bit more, so let’s see how it goes. If the right opportunity comes up then we’ll be open, but we also have in the back of our heads that Eli’s coming back, that Ali’s coming back and they’ll definitely help us.”

Giving an update on just how the pair are getting on during their recoveries at the Brache, as Al-Hamadi recently stated on social media that he was looking to be back this month, Wilshere continued: “They’re getting closer, they’re on the grass which is good to see for everyone. I think it gives everyone a lift, especially someone like Elijah who’s been a big part of this club’s history and everyone loves him, so it gives the fans a boost. Ali as well, someone I see as very hungry and very disappointed with how this season has gone. He feels like he has a point to prove and I always feel like that is a good place to be as a player so hopefully not too long and we’ll see them both back.”

In their absence, Yates once more didn’t make the most of another opportunity from the start against Swindon Town in the Vertu Trophy last night, as although he netted a seventh of the campaign from penalty spot, his effort really should have been saved by visiting keeper Lewis Ward. The summer addition looked neat and tidy in his link-up play, but crucially only had two more shots, neither on target, denied an equaliser by a fine goal-saving challenge when picked out by Ethon Archer's inviting late cross.

After missing a one-on-one opportunity against Stevenage at the weekend, Wilshere hopes the run-out will boost his spirits ahead of Saturday’s home clash with second-placed Lincoln City, as after that Luton face two tough away games at Plymouth Argyle and Huddersfield Town, adding: “A goal’s a goal. You can see with Jerry how much he cares, how much he wants to run and try and help the team. You really want that moment on Saturday to go in for him, I’m glad he got his goal tonight and he worked hard, so hopefully that will give him a bit of confidence going forward.”