Brown nearing return for Luton

Jacob Brown scored four goals in 30 games last season

Luton Town boss Jack Wilshere is hopeful Scotland forward Jacob Brown will be back in action in the near future.

The 27-year-old has not played suffering an ankle injury in a game against Middlesbrough in March which afterwards required an operation.

Brown joined The Hatters from Stoke City in the summer of 2023 and made 19 Premier League appearances for the team in that season.

"Jacob Brown is getting closer but needs a little bit more time," Wilshere told BBC Three Counties Radio.

"I've been there with a similar injury actually - he's been in training for a while, but it does take some time to find your rhythm and find that composure again when you're on the ball.

"He's really done well over the last seven to 10 days but it's probably a little bit too soon for him (on Saturday)."

Luton have won three league and cup games in a row since Wilshere began his spell as a manager with a home defeat by Mansfield Town.

They are currently 10th in League One but face a tough test in Saturday's away game against leaders Stockport County.

"They are a really good team - top of the league for a reason. They have a really experienced manager [Dave Challinor], a top guy who really knows the level and what it takes to get out of it," said Wilshere.

"They were a bit unlucky last year with Wrexham and Birmingham being in the league or they would probably have gone up.

"It's a good chance for us to go and see where we are. Of course, we're going there to try and win the game but they've got some strengths that we're going to have to pay attention to."

On-loan Ali Al-Hamadi will be hoping for more minutes after making a belated debut in their 4-3 FA Cup win over Forest Green Rovers at the end of last month following a calf problem.

"It was good to have Ali back. I probably played him a little bit out of position, I see him more as a nine - (but) I know he can play off the left and it's something he will probably have to do at some point this season," Wilshere added.

"It was good to get him back on the pitch. Yes, he was probably frustrated with certain things that happened but the main thing is he was back on the pitch and keeps building his fitness."