Nombe won't be judged by Luton boss after early exit on Championship debut

Sam Nombe s Championship debut may have ended after just 45 minutes, but Luton Town boss Nathan Jones says he will not be judging the striker harshly on his efforts against Barnsley on Easter Monday.

Nombe has been on loan at Kenilworth Road since October with a view to a permanent move in the summer, but has made just 11 appearances for the Hatters. His first Championship start came against Barnsley on Monday in the 2-1 defeat but he did not emerge after the break, replaced by Harry Cornick.

He was limited in what he could do though - making just 12 touches during the first half, only completing 20 per cent of his passes.

“It was a very difficult game for him to come in, so he won’t be judged on that," Jones told Luton News. “But I want him to be better, to do more, to be more aggressive, because their front men didn’t quite live on scraps, but they bullied us and got hold of it and were better and that was the difference.

“They could get a foothold in the game, get up the pitch, because they went long, squeezed it as quickly as possible, and then it was very difficult.

“We were let down by a few decisions as well when we were in, but we were off it all over today."