Luton boss: Putting Pereira on the bench at Swansea was not a token gesture

Luton boss Nathan Jones insisted it was in no way a ‘token’ gesture putting recent acquisition Dion Pereira on the bench against Swansea City on Saturday.

The 21-year-old joined the Hatters' U21 squad last month, along with fellow youngsters TQ Addy and Jack Chambers, who had been at Crystal Palace and West Bromwich Albion respectively.

Pereira himself is the most experienced of the trio, having made two substitute appearances in the Premier League for Watford and also featuring for Major League Soccer club Atlanta United in the 2019-20 season.

With Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu, Sonny Bradley, Martin Cranie and Rhys Norrington-Davies all missing from Town's squad, then Pereira was selected among the substitutes in Wales, although didn't get on in the end.

Speaking about his inclusion, Jones said: “We’ve had him training around the first team squad, so we know that he has something.

“Needs must, it might be a little bit early for him in terms of introducing him, but I would rather put Dion Pereira on the bench than have eight subs, at least then he gets exposed.

“I had this conversation the other day because I know a lot of managers, just to make a statement, put five or six on the bench.

"It’s pointless for me that, I’d rather give another youngster an opportunity at least of exposure to the first team, so that’s what Dion’s getting.

“Dion’s not a token. He’s been doing well in training and he’s shown stuff in games where I think he’s deserved an opportunity.

“If he does get into the first team then it won’t be alien to him.”