Ogbene happy with utility role at Premier League Luton Town

Chiedozie Ogbene is ready to take a step back to take a step forward as he begins his first season as a Premier League footballer with Luton Town.

The Ireland forward made the move from Rotherham Town to the newly promoted Hatters over the summer on a free transfer.

Corkman Ogbene had been pressed into a wing-back role by former Millers boss Paul Warne before being restored to his striking berth last year.

But with Luton still short of numbers ahead of their first top-flight season in 31 years, Ogbene revealed boss Rob Edwards has asked him to return to his deeper role.

And the 26-year-old is happy to once again do a job for the team as he looks to make his mark at the highest level by any means necessary.

"The gaffer pulled me and he just asked me to play the wing-back role which is a position that I'm quite familiar with because I played it two years ago and there was no problem for me,” Ogbene said.

“The squad is not as deep at the moment and we’ve got players who are catching up to speed, so he asked me to do that position.

“It was no issue to me and of course I’m a player that I'm willing to do whatever is necessary for the team and that's what we're going to need.

“We’re going to need 11 guys who are willing to do everything necessary for the team.”

Ogbene is happy to be the utility man in a squad with limited Premier League experience outside new arrivals Tahith Chong (from Manchester United) and ex-Aston Villa man Marvelous Nakamba.

He played both wing-back and up front in a recent pre-season friendly with Ipswich Town and Ogbene feels his versatility can only aid his chances of succeeding.

The ex-Cork City and Limerick man continued: "Towards the end against Ipswich he put me as a striker and I was able to stretch the game in a different way.

“It’s always good to know two different positions because I want to be available for the manager.

"I want to be a part of this team and a part of what we're going to do this year, so anyway I can help and make myself fit and healthy, and be available for selection.

“I want to cause problems, play in a high line, go in behind and be a threat to defenders.

"Make sure they’re constantly honest, that’s what I've always liked doing and that's why the manager has brought me in.

“He says my willingness to work hard and to play the game in the right manner, as we have to be able to come to feet and we have to be able to go in behind for different games.

“We’re seeing a lot of it towards the end of the game and I know the game is stretched and the defender's fatigued, but to be able to do that is something I'm so happy I can do.

"I also want to improve as we’re going to need that especially this season, we’re going to need to be explosive towards the end of the game.”

Another Ireland goal for Chiedozie Ogbene and a great one it was!

Really good performance so far #COYBIG | #WeAreOne | #LUXIRLpic.twitter.com/0c0zzyeqUf

— Ireland Football (@IrelandFootball) November 14, 2021