It’s been a busy day in League One, with injury news, contracts and an admission from a former Premier League player about Doncaster Rovers.
Luton Town lose Mengi for the run-in after surgery
Luton defender Teden Mengi is expected to miss the rest of the season after hamstring surgery, a significant setback for Jack Wilshere’s side at a pivotal stage of the campaign.
The 23-year-old centre-half was forced off during last week’s 2-1 Vertu Trophy quarter-final victory over Plymouth Argyle, pulling up as he tried to prevent Bim Pepple reaching a loose ball. He subsequently missed the 1-1 league draw with Port Vale, and Wilshere has now confirmed the defender has gone under the knife.
Mengi has featured 25 times this term and has been a regular since Wilshere’s appointment, combining pace with aggression in a system that often leaves space behind. His absence will be felt both in the league, where Luton retain faint play-off hopes, and in the Trophy, with Northampton Town visiting in midweek for a Wembley place.
Wilshere admitted the outlook is bleak.
“Probably, I’m holding on to a little bit of hope, but it doesn’t look great for him.
“He had to have surgery on his hamstring which is a blow for us. We’ll wait for him and if it’s this season great, if it’s next season, then I look forward to working with him again.”
He also described Mengi as a modern defender capable of operating at a higher level, particularly in aggressive, man-for-man systems that demand recovery speed.