Nakamba inline for Luton Town debut against Stoke City

• Published date: 03 February 2023
• Publication title: New Zimbabwe

mail-x_MsoNormalBy Sports Reportergmail-x_MsoNormalZIMBABWE international midfielder Marvelous Nakamba is in line to make his Luton Town debut when they host Stoke City in an EFL Championship match on Saturday after he immediately started training with his new teammates soon after joining the club.gmail-x_MsoNormalThe 29-year-old defensive midfielder joined Luton Town on a loan deal until the end of the season from Aston Villa earlier this week as he looks to rebuild his career after a difficult few months.

mail-x_MsoNormalAfter initially starting off as a regular in the Aston Villa lineup, Nakamba was frozen out of the team at the start of the season, prompting him to leave the club in search of game time.gmail-x_MsoNormalHis last senior outing was the final day 3-2 defeat against Manchester City in May 2022, with his last start coming in the 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace a week earlier.

mail-x_MsoNormalHe was on the bench for Villa under Steven Gerrard at the start of the season, before groin and knee issues saw him sidelined for two months, until returning to the squad for the 2-1 victory over Leeds United recently.gmail-x_MsoNormalLuton assistant boss Paul Trollope revealed that a decision on Nakamba's participation in Saturday's encounter was yet to be made but the Zimbabwean star has already started making an impression on his new teammates and coaches.

mail-x_MsoNormal"We're assessing that. He's had his first session with the players this morning," Trollope said in an interview with Luton Today on Thursday.

mail-x_MsoNormalThe players who played on Tuesday night had a very light one so we will be assessing that after today to see how he reacts to the training session.gmail-x_MsoNormal"He worked really hard this morning, had a good session with the ones that didn't play and some younger players.

mail-x_MsoNormalSo we're pleased with his contribution this morning and that will certainly be assessed as to whether he is available and ready enough for Saturday."gmail-x_MsoNormalTrollope also revealed that Town had to fend off competition to land...