Wilshere has to wait and see if Robins are expelled from Vertu Trophy

Luton boss Jack Wilshere admits it is a waiting game to see whether the Hatters will continue their Vertu Trophy campaign at the expense of Swindon Town who face being thrown out of the competition by the EFL.

Although Town lost 2-1 at home to the Robins on Tuesday evening, they have since been reinstated to the tournament, after their opponents were charged with two counts of allegedly breaches EFL Regulations and EFL Trophy Rules. Not only did they bring on Aaron Drinan at half time, despite the top scorer not being on the teamsheet handed in prior to the match, they also included captain Ollie Clarke from the start, the midfielder serving a seven game ban for having admitted two Football Association charges of acting in an improper manner or using indecent behaviour to an opponent during a Carabao Cup clash with Cardiff City in August.

As part of the announcement made this morning, the Hatters have now been named in the draw for the last eight which takes place at 11.20am on Sky Sports News tomorrow, and asked for his thoughts on the charges faced by Swindon being made official, Wilshere said: “Like I said after the game, I knew the EFL were going to investigate it, naturally, and when something like that happens we have to trust the EFL. It’s in that process, I think they’re probably a little bit further ahead than they were after the game, but it’s still the same.

"We don’t know what to expect, we’re waiting like everyone else, we’re aware of the statement and let’s see what happens. My main thought after the game and the last few days was reflecting on the performance, but it (being temporarily reinstated) doesn’t really affect how we go forward. We’re obviously aware of where that game might be, if it is us, and we’ll deal with that when it comes.”

Tomorrow morning’s draw is due to be hosted by David Prutton, alongside Jobi McAnuff and Marc Albrighton, as the quarter-finals will see sides remain regionalised, with separate northern and southern draws. Teams will be drawn against an opponent from within their respective section as Luton’s trio of possible opponents are AFC Wimbledon, Northampton Town and Plymouth Argyle, with the games scheduled to take place in the week commencing Monday 9 February 2026.