Wilkinson addresses speculation over Lawrence signing
Luton chairman David Wilkinson has denied there is any truth in the rumours circulating that the club have agreed a deal with Manchester City in which loanee Emilio Lawrence has to play for the Hatters.
The 20-year-old signed on a deal until the end of the season from the Etihad earlier this month, as despite having only just joined, went straight into the starting line-up for the 2-1 victory over Stevenage, deployed on the left hand side ahead of Cohen Bramall, meaning one of the main bright sparks of Town’s disappointing campaign was surprisingly dropped to the bench.
He had 62 minutes on the day, and then kept his place for the 2-1 Vertu Trophy defeat to League Two Swindon Town just three days later, winning the hosts an early penalty that Jerry Yates tucked away, and demonstrating some of the attacking prowess that saw Luton make their move for him in the window.
Emilio Lawrence gets away on the flank for Luton - pic: Duncan Jack / PRiME Media Imagesplaceholder image
Emilio Lawrence gets away on the flank for Luton - pic: Duncan Jack / PRiME Media Images
The Scottish U21 international then had a third successive start in the 2-2 draw with Lincoln City at Kenilworth Road, showing further glimpses of his ability in the final third when driving forward from the right flank on this occasion, eager to shoot whenever the opportunity arose, seeing two efforts saved by visiting keeper George Wickens.
Lawrence made way on the hour mark once more, as he made it four starts in a row in the Hatters’ lengthy trip to Plymouth Argyle last weekend, but struggled to really get involved in proceedings, taken off early in the second period once more, with boss Jack Wilshere stating he needed to begin making ‘better decisions’.
The youngster was then dropped to the bench for the 1-0 loss at Huddersfield Town on Tuesday night, thrown on for the final few minutes as Luton searched in vain for an equaliser, as he remained among the substitutes when Blackpool turned up at Kenilworth Road yesterday, but wasn’t needed as the hosts were able to secure a much-needed 1-0 victory over the Seasiders.
Addressing the speculation that the ex-Everton youngster had to be selected by Luton during his time in Bedfordshire, then writing in his programme notes yesterday, Wilkinson said: “We have seen flashes of Emilio’s quality in his appearances so far, in what is his first loan away from Manchester City. At this point I would stress that it is not part of the deal that he HAS to play. Indeed, there appears to be an awful lot of similar rumours issued as apparent fact, especially on values of fees and wages, and I’m not sure there’s one I’ve read that is correct.
“Blackpool’s visit does remind me that one of our most successful loanees, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, gained his first experience of senior football with them in the second half of the 2019/20 League One season before he came to us for the following campaign in the Championship. We all want Emilio, City and most importantly, our team to benefit in the same way.”
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