Luton Town are preparing for their third year back in the second-tier and will be hopeful of building on last season's 12th-placed finish. 

It was a season where The Hatters continued to defy expectations and Nathan Jones' side will be pushing for an even higher finish this time around.

Luton will be without top scorer James Collins for the 2021/22 Championship campaign and it seems like a return for Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall is unlikely.

Also throwing a spanner in the works, is Pelly Ruddock Mpanzu's contract situation. The 27-year-old, who has made over 200 appearances for The Town, is yet to pen down a new deal and could put an end to his eight-year tenure with the club.

However, Jones has been busy in the transfer market already and has brought seven fresh faces to Bedfordshire. Six of these summer signings played 45 minutes during Luton's first pre-season friendly against Hitchin Town on Saturday and will be fighting to get the nod when Peterborough United visit Kenilworth Road for the first game of the Championship campaign.

Here are five players that Luton fans should be excited to see next season...

Reece Burke signed for The Hatters from League One champions Hull City and made 34 appearances. Despite falling out of favour near the end of the season, Hull fans were still shocked to see him go.

With Matty Pearson departing Luton, Reece Burke provides a younger alternative. His composure in possession, combined with his physical dominance, makes him an exciting prospect for Luton.

The 24-year-old has also racked up over 100 Championship appearances, suggesting that he has the experience, as well as the potential, to succeed at his new club.

Peter Kioso is a player who is expected to get his chance with the first-team this season. The 21-year-old right-back spent the first half of the season in League Two with Bolton Wanderers before joining Northampton Town in League One in January for the remainder of the season.

As well as displaying the physical attributes needed to perform within first-team football, Kioso's ability to get forward and create chances helped both the clubs he spent time with during the 20/21 season.

Kioso made one appearance for The Hatters last season too - a league cup match against a strong Manchester United side. The talent he showed during that fixture, coupled with the experience he got last season, makes Kioso a very exciting prospect for the upcoming campaign.

Allan Campbell was a highly-sought after individual before Luton secured his services. The former Motherwell man attracted plenty of Championship interest and at 22 years old, he has the potential to enjoy a long and successful career in English football.

Campbell is a tough and tenacious midfielder out of possession but is a calming influence in possession and has the technical ability to match.

The fact that several Championship clubs were interested in the 22-year-old is a clear indicator as to why Luton fans should be watching out for him next season.

It is expected to be a big season for Elijah Adebayo. The towering forward has shown bags of potential since arriving from Walsall and scored five goals for The Hatters in the second half of the season.

Adebayo now has a full pre-season to continue his development. He now has Cameron Jerome to learn from and under Mick Harford's guidance, the 23-year-old can really kick on next season.

His raw physical attributes caused defences all sorts of problems last season and he is only going to get better from here.

Similar to Campbell, a whole host of Championship clubs were interested in Carlos Mendes Gomes, according to according to the Sunday Mirror (11/04, page 68). However, it was The Hatters who finalised a deal.

The winger's pace, power and attacking threat played a vital part in Morecambe's promotion to League One last season. It may take some time for the 22-year-old to adapt to the rigours of Championship football, but he is a player who has every chance of being a major success.

Mendes Gomes is another bright, athletic footballer that Jones will be eager to get the most out of. He is not just a signing for the future, as he deserves a chance at this level.