Elijah Adebayo is a doubt for Luton’s relegation six-pointer at Stoke City tomorrow night, but there is more positive news for other injured Hatters.
The striker helped created the goal for Isaiah Jones in the 1-1 draw with promotion-chasing Leeds United on Saturday, but he limped off four minutes into the second half with a knee injury.
Manager Matt Bloomfield said: “Eli’s got a knock to his knee, so we’re just letting that settle down to see how he is, but apart from that, I think we’re in pretty good health.”
It will be a blow to the forward, who has endured a tough campaign, but had started to look close to his best in recent weeks, though he has scored since December.
“I thought it was his best,” Bloomfield said of Adebayo’s contribution at the weekend, adding: “First off, against Sheffield United, he was particularly good. That stands out in the memory. Middlesbrough at home as well and Saturday.
“There’s been a lot made of Eli’s form this season, but I have to say, since we’ve been here, he’s training with intensity, building himself back up with his confidence levels.
“He spoke incredibly well, last week in front of the group and I’m really pleased with the way he’s been buying in. So, yeah, it was a disappointment to lose him on Saturday, and we’ll see how he is.”
Tahith Chong came on to replace Adebayo and performed well, and with Lasse Nordås and Millenic Alli both coming on in cameo appearances, Town do have options if Adebayo is absent.
Bloomfield said: “Lasse is building himself up. Obviously, we knew that he was at the end of his pre-season when he came, when he came across, Milli has played up front, so we’ve got still got some good attacking options in the squad.”
Chong got almost a whole half of football in his legs, for his second appearance since returning from three months out injured and the manager said: “He’s a big player for the football club. We know that. And he came on Saturday, I thought he did particularly well, first off in attacking position then as a wing back. So yeah, we do have a number of options that we can consider ahead of tomorrow evening.”
Alfie Doughty was also withdrawn on Saturday, but he is expected to be available for the trip to Stoke.
“Alf had a little bit of a knock but he seems like he’d be all right, hopefully. Again, we just need to let him settle down and we’ll give him as long as we can, but he seems OK so far, so hopefully that’s the case,” said Bloomfield.
And there is more positive news with the injured midfielders Marvelous Nakamba and Shandon Baptiste, both of whom suffered the same knee injury in the same game and there was a question mark over whether they would return this season.
But Nakamba could be in contention for Saturday’s clash at home to Blackburn, while Baptiste could be available for the Easter weekend.
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