Pearson believes Adebayo acquisition was much-needed for the Hatters

Defender happy to have an extra option up front
Elijah Adebayo in action for the HattersElijah Adebayo in action for the Hatters
Elijah Adebayo in action for the Hatters

New signing Elijah Adebayo will give Town a much-needed extra option up front according to defender Matty Pearson.

The 23-year-old joined on a permanent deal from Walsall on transfer deadline day, scoring twice in his first three starts for the club, impressing hugely with the manner of his performances.

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He became only the second recognised striker to score for the Hatters this term, joining leading marksman James Collins who has managed 10.

With his boost to Town’s attacking options, Pearson thinks it will help ease the burden on Collins, who bagged 14 goals to help keep the club up last term.

The defender said: “He gives us a different angle, Collo’s whole-hearted and has been leading the line for us for a good two years now, especially in this league, it’s a big effort.

“Sometimes we’re relying on Collo alone, we need more bodies and he gives us that extra option.

“I think it’s definitely helped the last couple of games.”

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Adebayao dropped out of the side for the trip to leaders Norwich City on Saturday, one of five changes made by boss Nathan Jones with a supposed game against Rotherham last night in mind, called off on Friday due to Millers players contracting coronavirus.

He came off the bench along with Harry Cornick and Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu on the hour mark at Carrow Road with Town trailing 2-0, although the trio weren’t able to engineer a comeback, the Canaries adding a third late on.

Pearson continued: “Our bench is strong, the three changes made us better and vice versa, if the lads that went off came on it would make us better as well.

“We’ve got a good enough squad to chop and change who we need to.

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“People have different qualities and bringing Elijah on gives you a different focal point and Corns (Cornick) with his place, so it definitely helped bringing those boys on, it got us going.”

Meanwhile, manager Jones has been extremely impressed with the impact of his new recruit, although won’t be expecting too much too son.

He added: “It’s about opportunity, we knew he’d be a certain level but he’s nowhere near his ceiling, and that’s the good thing.

“That’s why we brought him here because we feel he has a higher ceiling.

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“So we’ve got to be careful that we don’t get carried away with him as without being disrespectful to anyone, it’s different being at Walsall in League Two and at Luton in the Championship.

“We’ve got to be careful, but he’s done fantastically well, he’s given us a different option, he’s added real competition.”