Chong ‘building his way back’ as Luton remain open-minded over future of several stars

Luton Town midfielder Tahith Chong is edging closer to full fitness after missing time in pre-season with a groin injury — but manager Matt Bloomfield has admitted the club are braced for possible interest in the Dutchman and a number of other Hatters.

Chong, who made Premier League appearances for the Hatters two seasons ago, has had a stop-start spell at Kenilworth Road due to injury, since joining from Birmingham City. The Town boss remains hopeful the 25-year-old can play a major role this season — if he stays.

“Chongy’s missed a little bit of time, but he’s nearly back,” Bloomfield said. “He’s had a slight groin injury in pre-season. He’s building his way back and I really enjoyed working with Chong.

“He was injured when we first got here. We only got him back for the last four or five games, which was a frustration not to have him more, but we’re looking forward to having him back.”

With the transfer window open and several former top-flight players in the Luton squad having left the club, Bloomfield acknowledged that Chong’s pedigree is likely to attract attention from elsewhere, as are defender Teden Mengi and midfielder Marvelous Nakamba.

“I think Chongy inevitably is one of the players that will get interest because he was playing very well in the Premier League two seasons ago,” he said, adding: “If we can keep him, then I’d love to have him here. But I’m also understanding of the fact that he is one of the boys that we’re going to have interest in.

“We want players here that are desperate to represent our football club. So if a player wants to do that, we’ll welcome them and we’ll keep them. If the desire once a bid comes in is that they want to explore it, then we approach it with open eyes.”

The Luton boss stressed that decisions around departures, before the transfer window shuts on September 1, will only be made if they make sense for all parties.

“If he’s here, then we will certainly be a stronger squad for having Chongy. But we understand that, because of his pedigree and the level that he’s played in the last couple of years, inevitably he’ll probably attract the interest as well.”