Rob Edwards says loan star Cody Drameh is focused on Luton’s promotion push rather than transfer speculation on his own future, though he admits that the young star will “not be short of options” in the summer as he’s reportedly keen to leave Leeds United.
The right wing-back has been in sparkling form since making the switch to Luton in January, as a temporary replacement for James Bree, and he has only suffered one defeat in 13 games at the hands of now-promoted league leaders Burnley.
Last week, the Yorkshire Evening Post reported that, ‘an end to Drameh’s time as a Leeds player is somewhat inevitable, with noises from the player’s camp signalling a permanent exit is on the cards before pre-season begins this summer’.
By then there is a possibility that the Hatters and United could change places, as his loan club will secure a Championship play-off place with a victory at struggling Reading tonight, while the Whites teeter perilously close to the Premier League relegation zone having just been thumped 6-1 at home by Liverpool.
Drameh has 12 months left on his Leeds contact, and though Town do not have an option to make the defender’s current deal permanent, when asked if he’s hopeful of persuading the 21-year-old to join Luton, manager Edwards said: “It’s a difficult one to talk about that at the moment. Clearly, we really like him, that’s obvious. He’s playing every week for us and playing really well.
“But I think at the moment the most important thing is, of course, we are always looking to the future and that’s part of my job as well, along with people I’m working with above and the recruitment team and everyone.
“But there is a here and a now, and there is a focus on these next few games, and that I think is what Cody’s big focus is as well. It’s just the here and the now, and the next game and keeping his performance levels really high, and I think his future will get sorted out. He’s not going to be short of options, it it’s not Leeds, but we’ll see.”
Under Edwards’ guidance, Drameh has been improving game on game and Town fans have been raving about his piece of skill in the build-up to Town’s penalty at Rotherham at the weekend.
The Town boss said: “We’ve been delighted with him since he walked through the door. He’s a young player, but to settle into a new club – such a tight-knit group as well – I think our lads will welcome anyone new into the group really well, but he’s settled so fast and his performances are just getting better.
“He is showing more and more confidence, more belief, more physicality in his game as well. He is a young player that has got a real bright future.
“That bit of skill the other day – God, don’t ask me how he did it. I have no idea. If I’d have tried that when I was a player I’d have needed up on my backside, but a brilliant bit of skill, a fantastic cross as well, and it was nice for him to create that.”
