Jack Wilshere has hinted that Zack Nelson will return to the Luton squad against Rotherham and has urged the youngster to use it as a springboard for the next stage of his development, after leaving him out at Stockport last weekend.
The manager says the 20-year-old has the versatility to play anywhere across the middle of the pitch, including the deeper role often filled by George Saville, who will be suspended for the League One clash against the Millers, but still needs time and patience to grow into a regular starter.
Wilshere admitted dropping Nelson for the trip to Edgeley Park was one of the toughest calls he had make last week.
“Zack was left out of the squad last week at Stockport. He travelled and was left out and it was a really, really hard decision,” the manger said. “And I spoke to Zack after and he was excellent. He understood, but he also wanted some clarity and wanted to know what he needs to do to get into the team.
“It was a hard one because, in terms of when you think about what the players need, one of the biggest things is attitude and mentality and his attitude and mentality has been top. His ears have been open, his eyes are open in training, he’s produced good moments. I just think maybe it’s a little bit too soon to start a young player.
“That could change in a couple of weeks with the situation [changing]. But we had a good conversation and I think Zack got some clarity over it. But this week’s a new week and he’s probably going to be in the squad, so he needs to be ready.”
Nelson was given his senior debut by former boss Rob Edwards in the Premier League, while his successor Matt Bloomfield spoke glowing about the academy graduate’s talents at the beginning of the season.
“He came from Tottenham as well. I don’t hold that against him,” joked Wilshere, an Arsenal favourite, before stressing how highly he rates the academy graduate, saying: “He’s got some ability and he’s definitely one for the future and he doesn’t want to hear that because he feels probably now and he’s right in a sense that he deserves his opportunity and he’s ready to take that opportunity and he will get that opportunity. He just needs to be a little bit patient right now.”
Nelson’s positional future has been a point of discussion inside the club. Bloomfield had viewed him as an advanced midfielder but Wilshere says his skill set makes him a genuine option to play deeper too.
“He still needs to develop things in both of those positions. In fact, I probably don’t see him as someone who is going to be a six or going to be an eight or going to be a 10,” Wilshere said. “I think there are players that you can clearly see are, but I think he’s quite interesting because he can do all of them.
“I think probably right now, his biggest strengths would benefit us higher up, but he is definitely someone who understands a game, who can get the ball off the back four, who can play forward, who can support underneath and have the game in front of him. He needs a little bit of help with that probably right now, but I wouldn’t want to say he’s going to be this or that because he can do it all.”
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