3 Luton Town players who could get an opportunity against Wigan Athletic in the FA Cup

Luton Town welcome Kolo Toure’s Wigan Athletic to Kenilworth Road on Saturday in the third round of the FA Cup.

Long gone are the days when the Hatters would need three victories to reach the heights of the third round of the competition, with Luton knowing that three victories from this stage would set them up with a quarter-final contest.

The Latics are another club in the Championship who are under relatively new management, with Wigan’s search for Leam Richardson’s successor coinciding with Luton’s recent managerial change.

It is fair to say that it has not been the best of starts for the new Wigan boss, with the Latics accumulating a mere point from their opening five games.

However, the FA Cup represents a fresh opportunity for the former Liverpool man to try new things and to be slightly braver.

But looking at the Hatters, here we take a look at three players who could get an opportunity to impress Edwards at the weekend…

Casey Pettit

Undoubtedly an exciting talent, Casey Pettit is a consistent feature on the Luton bench in recent Championship fixtures.

Since the 0-0 draw at home to Reading in early November, the 20-year-old has made the Town bench seven times in eight games.

Possessing maturity beyond his years, an excellent technical ability and a real desire out of possession, it would be no surprise if Pettit is handed an opportunity against the Latics, whether that be from the start or from the bench.

It remains to be seen if Jordan Clark will be fit enough to feature at the weekend, something that could pave the way for Pettit to play a larger part than first imagined.

Elliot Thorpe

Elliot Thorpe endured a difficult loan spell at Burton Albion and was recalled by the Hatters on New Years’ Day.

Frustratingly, a change of management at the Pirelli Stadium came to fruition just four days after his Deadline Day arrival, and subsequently, he was afforded next to no opportunities.

It was certainly the right call to bring him back to Kenilworth Road, however, the fact that he has played competitive matches for both the Hatters and the Brewers prevents him from securing a further loan move.

This could mean that Edwards might take a look at him during the FA Cup fixture against Wigan, with the young midfielder impressing in the competition against Cambridge United last season.

Conor Lawless

Sticking to the theme of holding midfielders who could get an opportunity if Clark is unavailable and options are limited come Saturday, then Conor Lawless could play a part.

The fact that Thorpe has amassed game time with the Hatters in the past and that Pettit has been in close proximity to seeing minutes, the 21-year-old could be named on the bench.

An elegant passer of the ball and someone who reads the game very well, Edwards could decide that giving a player like Lawless some experience in the senior set up would be the next best step.