Luton Town manager Jack Wilshere has confirmed that defender Teden Mengi is ‘probably’ set to miss the remainder of the campaign after picking up a hamstring injury.
The 23-year-old joined the Hatters from Manchester United in 2023 and made 30 Premier League appearances during their brief stay in the top tier. A knee injury kept him out for the majority of the previous term, but he has returned to become an almost ever-present in the back line over the past six months.
Mengi was withdrawn after just 33 minutes in last week’s 2-1 victory over Plymouth Argyle in the EFL Trophy and was absent from Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Port Vale. This prompted fears that a lengthy return to the treatment table was on the cards.
Wilshere Confirms The Worst
Luton are preparing to host Northampton Town tomorrow night in the EFL Trophy semi final with a spot at Wembley Stadium at stake. They will have to do so without the former England under-21 international though, with Wilshere confirming that the centre-back is set to go under the knife. Speaking to official club media, the manager said:
“Ted unfortunately has had to have surgery on his hamstring, which is a blow for us because people can see from how much he has played for me, how much I like him as a player and how much I love his personality.
“I think of a few big moments in games, Stockport away when he made that big tackle and had the energy to celebrate it. I call it a love for defending, and he’s got that, which you need in this league.
“That’s a blow for us and for him, because he was having a good season in my opinion.”
Continuing, the ex-Arsenal and England midfielder revealed that the injury will likely see a premature end to the player’s season:
“Probably. I’m holding onto a little bit of hope, but it doesn’t look great for him.
“In my opinion, since I’ve been in he’s been really good for me and we’ll wait for him, and if it’s this season, great. If it’s next season, then I look forward to working with him again.”
It’s Not All Bad News
Despite the blow, Luton are set to welcome striker Elijah Adebayo back to the squad. The 28-year-old has not featured since last April, although did score in a 45 minute outing for the under-21s against Cambridge United last week.
A return to first team action is now on the cards, with the attacker set for a place amongst the substitutes tomorrow night:
“I’ve got some decisions to make regarding the squad. I know the team, but there are some decisions I need to make about the squad.
“Knowing what we’ve got coming up as well, but prioritising this game and being competitive from the start, but also trying to work out the different scenarios that could happen in the game, to try and pick the best squad so players can come on and help us from the bench – either help us see it through or help us get a goal.
“So yes, he is in my thoughts and I really think that game at Cambridge helped him psychologically. It’s always a big step coming back from injury, from my experience, and it is good to feel a game again, get away from the training ground, go and play and be uncomfortable a little bit.
“He’s seen the benefits from that and we’ve seen it in training. So yes, he’s definitely closer and could be on the bench.”
