Luton Town duo tipped for January exit - Jack Wilshere warned he faces "tough" decisions | OneFootball

FLW's Luton Town fan pundit has named two players he believes could be set to leave the club during the January transfer window.

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more...

It has been a positive start to life at Luton Town for Jack Wilshere in his first senior managerial role.

After an inconsistent start to the season in League One, Luton parted company with manager Matt Bloomfield last month, and he was replaced by former Arsenal Under-18s boss and Norwich City coach Wilshere in a move that saw him return to the club where he began his playing career.

Wilshere's reign got off to a nightmare start as the Hatters were beaten 2-0 at home by Mansfield Town in his first game, but he has led his side to four consecutive victories in all competitions since then, including an eye-catching 3-0 victory over league leaders Stockport County at Edgeley Park on Saturday.

After an upturn in form under Wilshere, Luton currently sit ninth in the table, just three points from the play-off places and five points from the automatic promotion spots, but if they are to maintain their push for an immediate return to the Championship, the 33-year-old will have to make some big decisions in the January transfer window.

Marvelous Nakamba and Jacob Brown tipped for Luton Town exits in January

When asked which players he could see leaving the club in January, FLW's Luton Town fan pundit Simon Mills claimed that midfielder Marvelous Nakamba and forward Jacob Brown could be two of the potential departures.

After joining on loan from Aston Villa, Nakamba was part of the Hatters side that won promotion to the Premier League in 2023, but he has struggled to reach the same heights since making his move to Kenilworth Road permanent, and he has made just one substitute appearance in the league so far this season.

Brown was one of Luton's better performers during their relegation season last term, but he has not featured since mid-March due to an ankle injury, and while he is now closing in on a return, Simon questioned whether he will be part of Wilshere's plans and tipped him for a possible exit in January, along with Nakamba.

"I'm not sure who might go this January window," Simon told FLW.

"One might assume Marvelous Nakamba, maybe Jacob Brown, but I don't know.

"It's hard to see where both of those players currently fit into Jack Wilshere's squad.

"There's a lot of competition for places, and people are really staking some claims on the pitch here.

"During his time here, Jacob Brown has mostly been deployed on the right, but how are you going to take Isaiah Jones out of the team for him?

"I'm afraid I just don't see it happening.

"It's going to be a tough one, and I think it's just as important we move out the right person, as well as bringing in the right player to help compliment us because it does feel like things are on the up here."

Jack Wilshere facing Marvelous Nakamba, Jacob Brown dilemmas at Luton Town ahead of January window

Wilshere is the third different manager to take charge of Luton this calendar year, so the squad currently contains players from a number of different managerial eras, and the former Arsenal man will be keen to stamp his mark when the window opens.

Given his lack of game time this season, Nakamba seems like the obvious player to depart in January, particularly as he will likely be on relatively high wages and has been plagued by injuries over the past year.

Brown has been a solid Championship performer during his career, while he is also a Scotland international, so he should be more than capable of making an impact in League One once he gets back up to speed after almost eight months on the sidelines.

As Simon said, there are question marks over whether he can displace the in-form Isaiah Jones in the team, but Wilshere should certainly give Brown a proper opportunity to prove himself before deciding to move him on.