Edwards set to make contract call on ex-Swansea ace that’s been training with Luton

Rob Edwards
Rob Edwards. Photo by Liam Smith

Rob Edwards is keen to make a decision on whether to sign midfielder Liam Walsh as soon as possible while the former Swansea man is training with Luton. 

The 26-year-old was pictured sitting next to injured Hatters midfielder Jordan Clark in the Kenilworth Road stands during the televised 4-1 defeat to Burnley on Monday. 

Injuries have dogged Walsh in recent seasons too, and he ruptured his Achilles last summer. It was a major blow in a string of setbacks which saw him only managed to make 37 appearances for Swansea in the previous three seasons. 

But Walsh been given the opportunity to revive his career at Luton after his release by Swansea and Edwards and his staff have been running the rule over whether or not to sign him. 

Midfield is certainly an area of the pitch where Town are light having lost Ross Barkley (Aston Villa for £5million) and Sambi Lokonga (returned to Arseanl after his loan). 

Edwards said: “He’s been in training for a couple of weeks. We want to try to get to the point where we’ll make a decision either way,” said Edwards.

“What I don’t want to do, and I’ve said to Liam as well, we don’t want to prolong things and take the Mick, so to speak. We want to make sure that we’re fair to him and make the right decision for the football club as well.” 

Walsh came through the Everton Academy before signing for Bristol City in 2018, but Edwards, a boyhood Toffees fan, remembers Walsh from his days as a teenage prospect. 

“I’ve always liked him as a footballer,” said the Luton manager. 

“I remember him at Everton when I first retired from playing and seeing him playing against Man City in the under-16s. I’ve always known him and he’s been in my head since then. He’s been in for a couple of weeks. 

“There’s a lot of quality there and I think that’s why we’ve had him in for a few weeks to get to know him and get a good understanding of where he’s at. 

“He’s incredibly good with the ball. Very intelligent, someone who can receive under pressure and has a really good range of passing. He’s a really intelligent footballer.”

Edwards’ second in command Richie Kyle is also an Everton fan and the manager said he’s struck up a friendship with Walsh.

”All people from Liverpool seem to know each other anyway. So, yeah, Richie knows him,” said Edwards.

“You can see them having a chat in a language that no-one really gets at the moment. They’re getting on well at the moment, those two.”