Jake Jervis hopes his first ever Luton goal can be enough to stay at the club, with the loan window set to shut on September 2.
The striker joined Town in January 2018 but failed to make an impression and was sent on loan last season to AFC Wimbledon, netting twice in 30 games.
But the striker featured frequently in Luton’s pre-season and he earned his first taste of competitive action this term in the 3-0 Carabao Cup victory at Cardiff, completing the victory by scoring with a confident finish.
Asked whether the strike, on his first appearance for a year and two weeks, will boost his chances of a future with the Hatters, Jervis said: “Let’s hope so. I can only do my best, and I think I’ve done well and that’s all I can do.
“People seem to forget that I’ve scored goals previously and I’ve shown that I can do it tonight.”
Asked about whether he’s spoken to manager Graeme Jones about a loan move, the forward said: “I don’t want to get into it, but we’ll just see.”
The Carabao Cup game was only Jervis’ 14th appearance for Luton but he notched in front of the travelling Town fans and afterwards he said: “It was excellent. Last season when I went out on loan I could’ve stayed and maybe rushed going out on loan in eagerness just to play.
“Taking my time this year has obviously paid dividends. I’ve played this game and managed to get a goal.”
The forward was substituted in the 81st minute and he took advantage of the new rule that allows departing players to exit the field of play from any point, to walk around the edge of the pitch and take the applause of the Hatters fans.
He said: “I’ve had a lot of criticism, so I appreciate that, and I’ll keep working hard. It’s part of the game, I’m not going to stop because of someone’s opinion. I’m going to keep working hard and showing what I can do.”
Alan Sheehan, who scored the second goal against Cardiff, said of the striker’s goal: “Jervo’s a big, athletic guy and he’s not played a lot of games. He’s been in and out on loan, but, one thing I’ve got to say, is his attitude has been brilliant.
“He’s a great lad, he works hard and they’re the type of people that we want around Luton Town. Fair play to Jervo, I’m really happy for him.”
