Adebayo hails Hatters legend Harford for his help on the training ground

Luton striker Elijah Adebayo has spoken of the impact club legend Mick Harford has had already with him during his short stint at the club.

The deadline day signing from Walsall made his full Championship debut for the club on Tuesday night, scoring a first goal as well in the 1-1 draw with Millwall.

A lack of fans meant that Harford, who is assistant manager to Nathan Jones, could be heard for the majority of the game from the dug-out, giving out instructions to Town’s new forward, offering tips and advice, while dishing out plenty of warranted praise too.

Adebayo responded with an instinctive finish to open his account for the Hatters, but then put a header over from Jordan Clark’s excellent cross moments later, which is an area both he and Harford know needs improving.

Having a mentor like Harford, who scored 92 goals for Luton over two spells during his playing days and was feared by many in the air, means he will surely pick up a thing or two as well, as the forward said: “Since the first day I've come in, Mick’s been talking to me every day, talking about my game, helping with little things.

"I think the main thing we wanted to work on was the headed goals as Mick was a good headerer of the ball.

"We spoke about that and he just said when you get in the position make sure you’re heading it down.

"He’s been saying to me, 'keep it simple, with your personal performance work hard, you’ll get your chance so when you do just take your opportunity.'

"Fortunately for me today I did, we just didn’t get the three points we deserved.”

Although stepping up into a Championship squad for the first time in his career, Adebayo, who was at Premier League Fulham during his early days, but not in and around the first team for any amount of time, before dropping down to League Two, has found the transition a smooth one.

He continued: “The boys have been great, I've settled in nicely.

"I’ve been lucky to have a good bunch of lads who have talked me through how they play, what they like to do.

"It's just about me knowing what players' strengths are, and what they’re not so good at then just trying to help in and around, doing the best I can.

"The boys have been great, staff have been great, giving me pointers, showing me clips of what they want me to do, so for me it’s just about learning and improving myself.

"I said that when I came here, I want to improve and be the best version of myself.

"Today was a good start, but there’s more to come.”

Handed a first start might have been a daunting proposition for some too, but Adebayo had time to get ready for his full debut, giving some prior warning by boss Nathan Jones.

He added: “I kind of knew yesterday (Monday) and after training I just settled down and thought, 'baseline is working hard and then we move from there, do everything simple and if you get a chance take it.'

"That’s just the way I am, the way I think.

"It’s just about getting that killer instinct in front of goal, but it was good.”