Luton wait on Palmer as Wilshere outlines transfer strategy

Luton Town are close to adding two more players to their squad for the League One season but the future of midfield target Kasey Palmer remains unclear, according to boss Jack Wilshere. Jamaica international Palmer ended last season on loan with the Hatters, scoring eight goals in 20 appearances before returning to his parent club Hull City. "Kasey isn't here. I saw he put a post up on Instagram so I'm like everyone else, looking where he is and whether he's fit or not," Wilshere told BBC Three Counties Radio. "I made it clear and he made it clear to us he wants to be here, we want him. He's loved by not just the fans but the coaches and the players." Luton finished seventh in League One last season, missing out on the play-offs despite a final-day win at Bolton Wanderers but did win the EFL Trophy. Wilshere moved to strengthen their defensive options for next season with the addition of promotion-winning Bolton captain George Johnston last month and believes he can help them towards their target of regaining their Championship status. "George is a good player. We identified earlier in the season he was going to be available potentially whether Bolton decided to offer him something," Wilshere added. "I knew he was the kind of character who would fit in well here - he captained Bolton at Wembley at the end of the season so he has good experience and is someone who can come in and help us straight away. "Something I learned from last season was we need depth, we need a squad of robust players and George is one of them." Johnston, 27, is the only new face at Kenilworth Road so far this summer while defender Christian Chigozie and midfielders Jordan Clark and Liam Walsh have all signed new contracts to remain at the club. Wilshere is now targeting more new signings with the loan market expected to play a major part in his planning. "We've identified some targets we feel we can do early, and the earlier we do them the better so they get to know us and can work with us," he added. "We want players that understand and play in a similar way to us so there are some we can do earlier but this is my first summer window and looking in over the years I know there are always some that come up later, whether that be a loan from Arsenal or Manchester City or whatever. "They see their pre-season as an opportunity to try some of their younger players in the first team and normally what happens is towards the end of the window they get allowed out on loan. "We're close with two players and we've got a couple of meetings scheduled for next week but this is happening all the time over the summer. I've met loads of players, some of whom have gone to other clubs but you have to be in those conversations if you're serious." Luton start their League One campaign away at Reading on Saturday, 15 August (12:30 BST).