Luton Town

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Luton Town midfielder Jake Richards says the Hatters do not fear anyone with a trip to League One leaders Cardiff City looming at the weekend.

The 18-year-old scored from 20 yards in Saturday's 2-1 home win against Bradford City, but their past two away games have ended in single-goal defeats by Plymouth Argyle and Huddersfield Town.

Luton are seventh in the table, four points off the play-off places.

"They're in good form at the top of the table but we believe we can beat anyone with the players we've got," Richards said of the challenge at Cardiff.

"We brought in really hungry players (during the transfer window), boys that really want to get promoted and I think that's the whole group collective (mindset) now, to push to get into that top six and try to get promoted."

Richards now has three goals from 12 league appearances after joining from Exeter City last summer and is enjoying playing alongside vastly more experienced team-mates like Jordan Clark and more recent arrival Kasey Palmer.

"Every opportunity you get under this manager [Jack Wilshere], you've got to take," he said.

"I've done that a few times but I've just got to keep humble, keep working, keep trying to impress in training and hopefully they'll come.

"They [Palmer and Clark] are top players and I can learn a lot from them. Having that quality next to you, you can trust them on the ball, you know they'll find you and it's a brilliant midfield to play with."

Sheffield Wednesday are hoping to complete a deal for Luton'sZimbabwe international midfielder Marvellous Nakamba, 32. (Sheffield Star, external)

Want more transfer news from the EFL? Take a look at Friday's gossip column here.

Oxford United boss Matt Bloomfield wants to sign Congolese defender Christ Makosso, 21, from former club Luton. (Football Insider, external)

Want more transfer news from the EFL? Take a look at Friday's gossip column here.

Rob Staton
BBC Radio Sheffield reporter

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Sheffield Wednesday are hoping to complete the signing of Luton Town striker Jerry Yates before the weekend.

The Owls, who need EFL approval for any signing made while they remain in administration, would be adding the 29-year-old on loan.

Yates, who only joined the Hatters last August for a reported seven-figure fee, will be looking to bolster Wednesday's attack, with the club failing to score a goal in their past seven games.

Earlier this, week club captain Barry Bannan moved to Millwall.

Meanwhile, Wednesday also rejected a bid from the Lions for striker Bailey Cadamarteri. Blackburn Rovers also had an offer turned down for the 20-year-old.

There's strong interest in midfielder Svante Ingelsson, with Portsmouth said to be among his admirers.

Luton Town boss Jack Wilshere insists he has enough "leaders" in his squad despite back-to-back defeats which have checked their push for a play-off spot.

The Hatters were beaten at Huddersfield Town on Tuesday evening, their second consecutive single-goal defeat, and have only taken one point from their last three games.

"We weren't good enough - it's hard to take," former England midfielder Wilshere told BBC Three Counties Radio.

"I don't think it's a leadership problem, especially in the playing group. Football is different now to when I played, demanding a different type of leader - we have a leader like that in Kal (Naismith), he's that guy, it's a quality thing.

"We don't trust ourselves enough to risk the ball in the final third which you have to do. We didn't create enough clear-cut opportunities. We have to be better - when we did create those moments, there weren't enough bodies in the box."

Luton are now ninth in League One, six points adrift of Huddersfield who are sixth following Ryan Ledson's winner, scored from his own half.

"It's on me - it's my job to make the players better, to make sure they know how to create those clear-cut opportunities," Wilshere added.

"There's 18 games left, I want to see more ambition, I want to see us believe in that ambition, away from home especially."

Image source, EFL

A new initiative highlighting the work of football club charities has been launched by the English Football League (EFL).

'Scan to Smile' will be rolled out in stadiums across the EFL from Friday until the end of January, with supporters invited to scan QR codes on posters displayed around grounds.

Each scan will unlock a short, uplifting story from a person whose life has been positively impacted by the support of their local club charity.

The subjects tackled include mental health support, combating loneliness, improving physical wellbeing, employability and confidence.

The EFL said it hoped the initiative would use "the reach and influence of football to offer fans a moment of positivity on matchday".

Trevor Birch, chief executive at the EFL, said: "Behind every club are people whose lives have been positively changed through the work and dedication of their local EFL club charity.

"This initiative gives supporters the chance to see that impact first-hand and reminds us that football truly is a force for good."

Luton Town head coach Jack Wilshere said his side must improve their results away from home if they are to secure a place in the promotion play-offs.

The Hatters, who make a 500-mile round trip to Plymouth Argyle on Saturday (12:30 GMT), last won on the road in November.

They are currently seventh in League One - but only outside the top six on goal difference - and could have loan signing Kasey Palmer in the side for the first time.

"I went there last year with Norwich and I always feel because of the journey, there is an advantage there [for Plymouth] - it's not an excuse, and we can't use that, but we know going down there to expect we're going to be in a game from minute one," Wilshere told BBC Three Counties Radio.

"Our last away win was Stockport - we have to improve that, hopefully starting tomorrow."

The former Arsenal and England midfielder said he had "a lot of respect" for Plymouth boss Tom Cleverley, as they have been on a similar career path.

"He took the number one [role at Watford] at a young age and it was probably a little bit harsh to lose the job there.

"Then to dive straight back in again - he's a Manchester boy but took the opportunity to go to Plymouth which is a long way from everything he knows - he's really hungry to be successful.

"We always chat, me and Tom, and it's quite nice when you're two young coaches starting a journey, that you share your experiences and how you feel - but we want to beat him tomorrow."