Wilshere confirms wingback duo are both available for Luton but defender is still out
Bramall and Jones in full training for the Hatters
Town chief Jack Wilshere has declared that wingback duo Cohen Bramall and Izzy Jones are both in his thinking regarding a recall to the Hatters squad when they entertain Stockport County tomorrow, although confirmed centre half Mads Andersen’s ongoing absence will continue.
Bramall, who had been one of the main bright points in a disappointing campaign for Luton, suffered ankle ligament damage during the 1-0 win over Blackpool on January 31, which kept him out for just under six weeks, before he was named in the squad that faced Reading earlier this month, coming on during the second half with the hosts 2-1 up, before the Royals then scored twice in just three minutes to nick the points.
The former Arsenal youngster, who has netted three superb free kicks, also featured from the bench against Doncaster Rovers, but didn’t make the match-day 18 during the games with Wycombe Wanderers or Exeter City, Town winning both. Asked if he was available to take on the division’s other Hatters this weekend, Wilshere said: “Cohen came back, he was in a few squads, he got on the pitch and then he was out of the squad because how many times have I spoken about just having six subs.
"Then when you have some question marks over the players playing, you need to make sure you have cover for them, so that’s been the reason he’s been out of the squad, but he’s available for selection. (He’s been out) Through no fault of his own in my opinion, because his injury was a bad one. It was a bad tackle in my opinion, it deserved more than what they got, I don’t even think we got the throw-win for that. He had a history of ankle injuries and it probably took him a little bit more time than he thought, which is frustrating for him, frustrating for us, as he had kind of made that role his own.
"He was playing as a left winger who could drop back in to make a five if we wanted to, and actually when I first came in, I think about this game away from home, Stockport, where we found a position for him. He played left back in the game before against Northampton, but played a bit higher and gave us so much. He gives us so much with his speed and his ability to get down the line and cross balls in. So he is taking a little bit more time, but he’s coming back, he’s trained well this week and he’s available for selection.”
Meanwhile, having begun six successive league games for the Hatters, Jones was another one who has found himself sidelined for the last two matches, as giving an update on the Guyana international, Wilshere reiterated it was down to selection reasons alone, continuing: “He’s not injured. Izzy came back and he did excellently just to cope with the demands as we played him four 90 minutes in a row, then he was ill and we decided the day before the (Vertu Trophy) semi-final that we were going to leave him out and rest him up for the weekend, which we did.
"Then he played again, two 90 minutes, and to me he didn’t look quite right physically, so then he came out of the team against Wycombe and came out of the squad again due to the numbers that we can have on the bench and the positions we needed covering. The team won, so I decided to go with the same team, the same squad. Gids (Gideon Kodua) kept his place at right wingback, he deserved it, but Izzy’s been training now, he looks fitter to me, he looks in a better place than he did and he’s available for selection.”
One player who will be out is centre half Mads Andersen who, despite starting the Vertu Trophy final four victory over Northampton Town, has now missed Luton’s last five League One encounters. Wilshere added: “Mads is back doing some light training, but it will probably be a little bit too soon for him.
"It’s been a frustrating one for him, but for all of us because how many times have we spoken about the importance of him and how he helps the back line defend direct play, how calm he is with the ball. So yes, it’s been frustrating that he’s been out, but it also gives others an opportunity. I think Haks (Hakeem Odoffin) has been outstanding since he’s come in, Nigel (Lonwijk) has played a little bit more inside which probably suits him a little bit more. We’re missing Mads, but players have the opportunity to step up.”