Wilshere allowing himself to get 'excited' as Adebayo closes in on Luton return

Luton boss Jack Wilshere is excited about the prospect of finally being able to select striker Elijah Adebayo in an upcoming match-day squad for the Hatters.

The 28-year-old has been out of action since April last year when he suffered a serious knee injury during the 1-1 draw with Leeds United at Kenilworth Road when the Hatters were a Championship side, going on to score on his comeback for the club’s U21s in a 1-0 victory at Cambridge United recently. Adebayo then upped his comeback by getting an hour in the youngster’s 1-0 win against Barnet on Monday, and asked how likely it is that he can be an option for the first team soon, Wilshere said “He’s closer.

"I said last week before the Northampton game, I was desperate to get him in because of who is he, what he means to the club, but also how he’s been training. I couldn’t quite do it because of the balance we needed in the squad, but then we set out a plan for him to have two good days training Thursday, Friday, have Saturday off to train with the 21s on Sunday, to play in that game, and he did.

"My message to him was be patient, because after his first game I saw a real improvement and then after this game, he played a little bit longer, he looks a little bit sharper, so he’s definitely close. He’s desperate to get going, and again, we have to manage him and manage his expectations, but also get a little bit excited about him getting closer.”

With Adebayo pushing for a place in the squad once more, fellow striker Ali Al-Hamadi isn’t ready to return against Wycombe Wanderers tomorrow having not been involved since the 1-1 draw at Port Vale recently. Wilshere added: “He got a knock, it was the Wigan game on his heel and it’s just taken some time to heel. It’s frustrating for him, frustrating for us, because we want him to be available.”