Contract talks are underway with hotshot James Collins, Luton boss Nathan Jones has confirmed, after the striker hit a hat-trick in a 3-0 win over Preston on Saturday.
It was the forward’s fifth treble for Town since signing from Crawley in 2017 and he has now managed the feat for the club in every EFL division, as well as the Carabao Cup.
It took Collins’ tally this term to nine goals in 16 appearances this term, and a total of 69 in 155 games for the Hatters.
The hitman turned 30 last week and his current contract expires at the end of the season, but Jones is keen to tie the talisman down to a new deal.
The manager said: “We’re always looking at those things and we’ve had conversations, so all those things are always ongoing and we never leave ourselves open, we never get caught on the hop.
“As it is, that’s underway with all those that need to be spoken to, and then we want to move the club forward in all levels, and James is someone we see being here, so that’s something that is underway as we speak.”
Collins has finished as top scorer in every season since signing for the club and his goals have helped Luton to consecutive promotions, while it was his penalty against Blackburn on the final day of last term that sealed the Great Escape.
The frontman netted 14 times last season, his first ever in the second tier, and also won caps with the Republic of Ireland, scoring on his full international debut.
Asked he’s now firmly establishing himself as a goalscorer in the Championship, Jones said: “I think he did that last season. He scored goals at Championship level last year, he’s done that, he’s competing regularly at this level, so I think he is establishing himself and he’s an international as well.
“All he’s lacked in the past is probably the opportunity to do that, but in terms of his work-rate, his finishing, his hold-up play what he does for the team, he’s Championship all day long.”
