Cameron Jerome's importance to our squad

When 36-year-old Cameron Jerome joined the Hatters last summer as a free agent, it was expected that he would be a rotational squad player, who helped our younger strikers learn their trade and give valuable wisdom. However, Jerome has been so much more than that in these last 12 months.

In just 42 appearances the ex-Premier League star has racked up more than 10 g/a contributions and always provides a constant pathway to creating chances. In his first season at Kenilworth Road, the veteran striker scored five times and provided seven assists in his 37 appearances as Town reached the Championship play-offs. There was a moment throughout the season where he filled a void due to an injury crisis throughout Nathan Jones' camp. All this helped to prove that even at the age of 36, he can still be that influential striker he has been for years, and not just another squad rotational player.

When Nathan Jones brought Jerome to Kenilworth Road, there were certainly some fans who doubted him and questioned his abilities and age at this high of a level since he came had been playing in a league below, but Jerome is now described as a changing room leader with valuable experience. The Football League 'journeyman' will no doubt be a role model and advisor to the youth players, guiding them to have successful careers just like he has.

Although Jerome hasn't started a game yet this season, due to the new additions to the squad of Carlton Morris and Cauley Woodrow, he has been subbed on in five out of the six games already, grabbing himself an assist. One of his introductions was particularly noteworthy, after losses to both Preston and Bristol City, the Hatters only had one point on the board and were in desperate need of a win. Coming on in the 60th minute of our tie against Swansea City, Jerome got the assist for the goal to wrap up the match. He worked his socks off and Luton fans finally got the win they were after.

Some thought that Jerome may leave in the summer but he was awarded a new contract and Luton cult hero Danny Hylton left the club, showing that Jerome will certainly stick around for at least another season. But Jerome has been at nine different clubs throughout his eighteen-year career and doesn't tend to stick around at a club for longer than three seasons, so could we see Jerome exit the club and find one final team to end his career at, with all the new additions to our strike force we will just have to wait and see at the end of the season.