Luton’s injury crisis has taken another blow with the news that top scorer Elijah Adebayo may not return this term after suffering a setback in his hamstring rehabilitation.
Two weeks ago, the striker was pictured next to Sambi Lokonga on a excercise bike that the Arsenal loanee midfielder posted on social media, hinting that the pair could return soon.
The Belgian has since posted another one of him along on the training pitch and he is now the only player that is close to a return from his own hamstring issue.
“He’s not close, but hopefully Sambi is. It’s a real tough one, that, really disappointing,” said boss Rob Edwards ahead of a huge relegation six-pointer against Nottingham Forest tomorrow.
Adebayo is one of nine senior players missing, with a significant section not expected back this season, including Jacob Brown (knee), Amari’i Bell (hamstring), Marvelous Nakamba (knee), Tom Lockyer (recovering from cardiac arrest) and Dan Potts (ankle).
Asked if the forward is now on that list, Edwards said: “Potentially. His hamstring’s worsened. We were in a position where he was feeling good and we were pushing and he was pushing as well, and he felt it again.
“So, we’ve got to be really careful now. There’s not long left of the season, so I don’t want to say that yet, but it’s going to be longer. He’s not going to be back for after the (international) break.”
Luton have now scored in 16 consecutive Premier League games and netted more in total than Manchester United, but it’s defensive injuries, which now has Reece Burke and Teden Mengi as the only recognised fit centre halves, which have means they’re struggling to protect their own net.
“At the moment, we’re scoring goals and that is the only silver lining to that, because we all want our best players available for selection,” said Edwards on Adebayo’s absence.
“Eli doesn’t just help us from an attacking point of view, he helps us defend set-pieces, he helps set that press. You know how important he’s been for us.
“He’s a big player that’s missing.”
