Newell steels himself for player exits
lutontown.premiumtv.co.uk
Hatters boss Mike Newell has revealed that the Club has received firm offers from other clubs for the services of Luton's Trinidad and Tobago World Cup star Carlos Edwards.
Newell said: "I'm not saying who the bids are from because that would be unprofessional, but so far there's three. We've received bids from two clubs and we've had a phone call as well, which is fresh interest.
"Our Club has turned down the offers, right at this moment."
Although none of the offers have met the Club's valuation of the former Wrexham star, Newell did reveal that one of the offers is a lot closer than the other two.
"One's not a million miles away, to be quite honest."
Although the Manager would not reveal the Club's valuation of the player, he did say the bids would have to be realistic in view of the fact that Edwards still has 18 months of his contract to run.
"We've offered him a new contract so if he doesn't go we'd hope that he signs a new contract, but I haven't got a crystal ball so I don't know what's going to happen in the next month."
Newell also admitted that he is bracing himself for other possible offers for some of the other young Hatters stars that have excelled in the Championship so far this season.
"Carlos is not the only one they are looking at, and I'm pleased about that because if they weren't looking at my players it would have meant that I was playing bad players here, and I don't ever think we could be accused of that.
"We've only had offers for Carlos but we've had phone calls for other players."
Luton fans have always had to be realistic when the bigger fish come swimming in our pond, which was a point that Newell reiterated in today's post match press conference at Kenilworth Road.
"It's always a question of finances, but every club faces that at different levels. If a Premiership club or a big Championship club can pay far more in terms of wages and transfer fees, then it's business at the end of the day and you have to keep your business going."
However, there was better news for Hatters fans as today's man of the match Dean Kiely has signed another one month loan deal, which will make him available for at least the remainder of the festive programme.
However, the Luton boss has urged fans to remain cautious about the possibility of capturing the ex-Charlton shotstopper on a permanent deal, and he indicated that Kiely is looking for a permanent move during the January transfer window, although Premiership players rarely fit into the pay structure of a club of Luton's size.
"I think he's made it clear that he wants to get away from Portsmouth if he can in the window, but it might be beyond us. I don't know, because there's a lot of things got to happen before that happens."
On today's victory over Coventry City, Newell was satisfied with the result, particularly as his team scored against the run of play to take a vital half time lead.
"It was a good result but you have to say they were the better side in the first half, and the goal has come at a very crucial time for us and turned the game on it's head."