Bloomfield calls for Fanne to force his way into Luton team and ‘become a big player’

Matt Bloomfield has challenged Lamine Fanne to “force his way” into Luton’s League One line-up after a frustrating, stop-start opening to the campaign that saw him left out of the squad for Saturday’s 3-2 defeat to ten-man Plymouth.

The 21-year-old impressed early in pre-season but has been hampered by a concussion, illness and a lack of rhythm and he has started just once in the third tier, with his two other appearances in the division from the bench, though he hasn’t featured for the last month, albeit there was an international break in between.

Bloomfield said: “The first [pre-season] game at Borehamwood he was excellent. Everyone there, we were all very, very excited about the season. He then missed all the way up until the start of the season.

“He then missed another few days through another illness. So he’s had a very stop-start season so far. And one thing that I think Lamine needs is that continuity of training. We need to get him some minutes.

“He played in the under-21s yesterday [Tuesdayy], which was fantastic for him. He needs a continuity of minutes and learning the game as a midfield player and then it’s up to Lamine to force his way into the team.”

While Fanne does not play the same role as Liam Walsh, the senior midfielder’s absence for up to two months after shoulder surgery yesterday could free up a matchday squad berth.

Bloomfield believes Fanne is best suited to one of the advanced midfield roles in his current system, saying: “I think one of the two eights that we’re playing currently is probably the best position for him. The energy to get up and down the pitch, physicality, I think he can add goals to his game as well.

“He’s a young player learning his game, and as we’ve alluded to earlier in the season. You can’t have too many all at the same time, maybe with Zack occupying that spot and the competition with Clicker [Jordan Claker] and Sav [George Saville], but we want Lamine to become a big player for our football club and we’re trying to work with him and the opportunity’s there to force his way into the team.”