Striker Danny Hylton will ‘one hundred per cent’ play a part in Luton’s final nine games of the Championship season, but manager Nathan Jones refused to be drawn on an extension to his contract.
The forward, whose current deal expires a the end of the month, has had only 22 minutes of competitive action since injuring his knee in March last year. Then the Coronavirus forced a three-month shut down of football, which will end on Saturday when Town host Preston North End.
It was Jones – who returned last month for a second spell in charge – that brought Hylton to the club in 2016, where he became a fan favourite, for his goals and his antics.
Asked if the 31-year-old will play, as Town face nine games in six weeks, Jones said: “One hundred per cent. I think Danny has never spent too long out of the team when I’ve been here. Obviously injury would have dictated a few things.
“The thing with Danny is that he’s all in everyday and that’s why he picks up certain things (injuries) because Danny’s life depends on every training session and that’s how he lives it.
“I could tell you a story about how you’ve seen him in the park with his kids, he’s exactly the same! But it’s not just about Danny, it’s about everyone.
“Everyone is going to need to chip in because we’ve got a squad of around about 23 outfield players, nine games in 34, 35 days is going to be impossible for many to play a full nine games and it’s how you utilise, how you make changes, how you do all of those things are going to be key, not just what eleven can do.”
Hylton is among first-teamers Luke Berry, Danny Hylton, Callum McManaman, Glen Rea, Elliot Lee and Marek Stech whose deals expire this month, though the season will finish at the end of July.
Hylton has expressed his desire to stay and play for the club and admitted that his personal situation can take a back seat as Luton look to pull off the great escape and survive in the Championship.
Asked whether short term deals need to be agreed to ensure out-of-contract stars can play on beyond the end of their deals, on June 30, Jones said: “We know what we’re going to do moving forward and in the short term.
“A few things will depend on our league status and so on but look that is something that’s in hand and something that will remain private.”
