Wilshere 'has decisions to make' when choosing Luton team to face Northampton in semi-final tie

The Hatters, who won the EFL Trophy in 2009, were reinstated in the competition after Swindon fielded two ineligible players against them in the last 16, and they made the most of that lifeline by beating Plymouth 2-1 in the quarter-final to set up tomorrow’s tie.

Wilshere plans to rotate but still field a strong side, and he’s confirmed that striker Elijah Adebayo is likely feature against Cobblers having not played since sustaining an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury against Leeds last April.

Wilshere said: "There are a few decisions I have to make around the squad knowing what we've got coming up as well, but prioritising this game and being competitive from the start. We’ll rotate but this competition is important to us.

"We also have to consider the different scenarios that might happen so we pick players who can help us from the bench, but he (Elijah) is in my thoughts and he could be on the bench.

"James Shea will be in goal again but Teden Mengi has had to surgery on his hamstring and he might not play again this season, which is a blow. Mads (Anderson) trained today (Tuesday) and that’s a decision I’ll have to make but Gids (Gideon Kodua) is OK.”

On tomorrow’s tie, Wilshere added: "Northampton are fighting for their lives. I know Kevin (Nolan) has changed the team a lot for this competition so it’ll be interesting to see what they do but a lot of their players are similar profiles and we have an understanding of what we’re going to face.

"We have to be ready to deal with direct play and land on second balls but we have to not just match that, we have to go beyond that and kill their spirit and kill any threat they have because then I’d back us to get the ball down and open them up. We have to earn the right to do that.

"Wembley is one step away – we have to take that step. It's a big step and we'll be ready for that.”