Hatters boss impressed by striker Nombe on his first start

Luton striker Sam Nombe earned praise from Town chief Nathan Jones for the manner of his first start in a Hatters shirt during last weekend’s 1-0 FA Cup win over Reading.

The 22-year-old had been restricted to cameos from the bench in the Championship since his arrival from MK Dons on loan in October, four of them to be precise, but got the nod from the off against the Royals.

He managed 81 minutes alongside Danny Hylton in attack, as although he couldn’t come close to a first goal for his new side, Jones was still impressed, saying: “I was very pleased with him, very, very pleased with him, with the running and the way he took things on board, the work-rate.

“He looked a threat first half, stretched them behind them and that shows exactly why we wanted him here.

“We have Harry (Cornick) and we have Sam to do that, and we need that as we have James (Collins) and Danny who are more target and box players.

“These are players we need to stretch the play and I’m very pleased with his overall performance.

"Bear in mind he’s not played a lot, so that will be very good for him.”

Team-mate George Moncur, who was Luton’s match-winner on the day, volleying in a superb strike with half an hour gone believes the forward has been a fine acquisition, adding: “He’s a good player, we see him every day in training and he’s got great physical attributes.

“He’s good on the ball, he’s good in the box as well and also he really works hard.

“So fair play to him and I believe he’s a really good player.”