Midfield prospect Elliot Thorpe will get an opportunity to step up to Luton’s first team after the club couldn’t sign any players on transfer deadline day, manager Nathan Jones has said.
The Hatters had tried to sign Sheffield United midfielder Luke Freeman, but the finances wouldn’t allow it, and after Glen Rea left on loan to Wigan Athletic it leaves Town with one less player in their squad.
Since signing Thorpe from Tottenham in the summer the Wales Under-21 international has been impressing in the Development Squad, so he could be the man to fill that space.
Jones said: “We believe he’s ready so let’s see if he makes the squad, then he could get an opportunity.
“He’s been good, we brought him in a player we believe has a certain ability, he’s showed us that. He has to get used to the environment, he has to get used to the intensity of everything as he’s come, with the greatest of respect, development football, so it’s categorically different to Championship football.
“So, we just want to demand a little bit more from him, then when he gets opportunities he’s got to take them and if he does that, that’s all we can ask from him.”
On a quiet transfer deadline day, the only other business done was selling record signing Simon Sluga to Bulgarian champions Ludogorets and replacing with Aston Villa loan keeper Jed Steer.
“We couldn’t improve the squad significantly, so we didn’t do any business,” said Jones, adding: “What we did was, we just made sure we were fair to everyone in letting Glen go to get games, because he’s deserved that, and then there’s opportunity with out of contract players to add one to the squad, because we’ve kept a place.
“But if we couldn’t improve the squad significantly, then we didn’t just add a number which is what we don’t do here. So, I wouldn’t say we’ve come out of it (the transfer window) categorically stronger, but what we have done is we’ve got a real tight group now that will all play, that will all contribute and sometimes, instead of just adding more potions, you just have to keep going with people and that’s what we’re doing.
“We’re in a real good position and once we get everyone back (from injury), the numbers we have anyway are strong and I’m leaving three or four in the stands, so to add to that is tough anyway and people like Elliot Thorpe will get opportunities to step up, so that’s what we’re looking for.
“With the greatest respect we can’t go and compete with other sides. Bournemouth, for example, we would have loved to have added Todd Cantwell to our ranks, but we’re not in that realm at this point in time to be able to afford that.
“So, if we can’t get someone like that, then we didn’t want to take a number, but what we might be able to do now with the window shutting, there might be someone out of contract where everyone else has taken their players and we think, OK, we might be able to get that quality, if it’s the right character, the right athlete that can add a little bit more quality then that scope is there to do, so let’s see.”
I thought it a bit daft to pursue the Newcastle loan kid so strenuously when we had the much-lauded Thorpe going nowhere.