Milli Alli may need to leave Luton Town on loan during the January transfer window to get regular football after being left out of the matchday squad for the fifth successive game.
The winger has not featured for the Hatters since being substituted at half time in December’s 2-2 draw with Port Vale and has only made five league appearances under Jack Wilshere despite playing 22 times in all competitions this season.
His absence has continued even as Luton added further competition out wide, with Manchester City loanee Emilio Lawrence making his debut from the start in yesterday’s 2-1 win over Stevenage.
Asked directly about Alli’s situation, Wilshere acknowledged both the difficulty of selection and the need for the 25-year-old to be playing regularly at this stage of his career.
“Milli’s just been out of the squad and obviously, when you bring in another winger, probably I was expecting that question yesterday [Friday], actually,” he said. “But yeah, I like Milli. I think Milli’s a top guy, he’s got a top attitude.
“I think he’s found it difficult. He’s had opportunities since I’ve been in and I think back to the Exeter game here in the cup, where he was really good. We gave him another opportunity and he didn’t quite take it. And it’s been difficult.
“And then Cohein [Bramall] being as good as he’s been for us, he got the shirt and I spoke then about how difficult it is to pick a squad because you’ve got to manage this player and you need a centre back on the bench.
“And a lot of the time it’s not really an extra winger you’re going to take. Shayden [Morris] then came and took his opportunity and showed us what he can do.
“And we started to see Shayden and, probably, if we are going to take a spare winger, it’s going to be Shayden because he gives you that excitement off the bench in maybe the last 20 minutes.
“So, yeah, it’s just been a selection thing. I know he [Alli] needs to play games and he’ll want to play games and it’s been difficult for him, but it’s just been a selection thing.”
Alli only joined Luton last January from Exeter and he impressed as four goals in the last month of the season, almost helped the Hatters avoid relegation out of the Championship. But this term, the Irishman has only scored once.
Pressed on whether a temporary move away from Kenilworth Road could be the best solution, Wilshere said: “I think Milli has to play football. Milli definitely has to play football. He’s not a young player who can dip in, dip out. He’s at an age where he probably feels like this is his time, this is his moment and, I think we have to be open to something like that.
“I’m happy if he stays and there’s competition for places because I’m sure that there will be a time when he gets his confidence back and he finds his rhythm again and he’ll be able to help us in the certain way.
“But I also understand that he needs to play, so we could be open to that [a loan], yeah.”
Wilshere would not rule out Alli featuring in Tuesday’s EFL Trophy tie at home to Swindon, but said any decision would be made after further assessment.
“Maybe we have to look at it and make a good decision because, also, Cohen didn’t play that much today [against Stevenage] and let’s see how he responds,” he said.
“Let’s see tactically what we need from the game. I’ll be honest, I haven’t watched Swindon yet. That will be tonight and tomorrow. And then, yeah, we’ll make a decision on that from there.”
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