Ipswich Town will share Jack Wilshere, Luton Town delight at Ali Al-Hamadi development | OneFootball

Ipswich Town and Luton Town will both be pleased by Ali Al-Hamadi's exploits on the international stage

Ali Al-Hamadi has struggled for form since joining Luton Town on loan from Ipswich Town last summer, but the Hatters still have an obligation to buy him if certain criteria are met within the loan period.

Amid injury problems, the striker has failed to score in nine appearances for Jack Wilshere's men across all competitions, and most recently featured for the Kenilworth Road outfit in a 1-1 draw with Stockport County on 21 March.

Meanwhile, the Hatters began the League One campaign with aspirations of landing an immediate Championship return, but will have to maintain a near perfect record in their last seven games to stand a chance of finishing in the play-offs.

In contrast, Al-Hamadi's parent club, Ipswich, will leapfrog Middlesbrough into an automatic promotion spot in the second tier if they win their game in hand and match Boro's other results.

Ali Al-Hamadi played his role in Iraq heroics - Luton Town and Ipswich Town will be equally pleased

Even though Al-Hamadi has struggled with Luton in League One this term, he scored on Wednesday as Iraq defeated Bolivia 2-1 in Mexico to qualify for the World Cup for the first time in 40 years.

The 24-year-old's strike put Graham Arnold's men in the lead before Moises Paniagua equalised for the South Americans, but fellow striker Ayman Hussein's second-half goal ensured that the Hatters man will be competing in this summer's tournament, should he avoid further injury issues.

Wilshere's side were left particularly disappointed when Al-Hamadi failed to trouble the Wigan Athletic defence in his first start of the season in February, and the Latics dented Luton's play-off hopes with a 1-0 win.

However, he will now return to League One action full of confidence, which may bolster the Kenilworth Road side's top six credentials.

The man on loan from Ipswich will likely be rested against Peterborough United on Good Friday, thanks to the short turnaround from his international heroics.

Ipswich will be equally thrilled by Al-Hamadi's newfound confidence, and the Tractor Boys could be the real winners if he joins Luton for a decent fee, thanks to their obligation to buy, should certain criteria be met.

The former Wimbledon man excelled for the Dons in League Two before joining Kieran McKenna's side in January 2024, and it seems like only a matter of time until he finally starts performing in League One.

Al-Hamadi understandably struggled to make an impact in the Premier League last term, having plied his trade in the fourth tier shortly before ending up in the top flight.

Ali Al-Hamadi could haunt Wimbledon before helping Luton Town win silverware

Despite failing to score for the Hatters this season, the 24-year-old's recent exploits for Iraq could put him in line to start for Wilshere's men in their Easter Monday trip to Wimbledon.

Al-Hamadi impressively notched 13 goals and six assists for the Dons in 23 appearances during the 2023/24 League Two season, and he could haunt his former club on 6 April.

Then, six days after their League One clash with Wimbledon, Luton take on Stockport at Wembley in the EFL Trophy final, and the Iraq international will be eager to help his side clinch silverware.

If Al-Hamadi wins a trophy with Wilshere's side this month, it will only enhance Ipswich's chances of recouping a decent fee for his permanent services in the summer.