Luton have avoided another injury with Tahith Chong cleared to play in big relegation clash against Nottingham Forest tomorrow.
The attacker scored the first goal in a stunning 0-3 first half at Bournemouth, but which ended in 4-3 heartbreak, but he left the pitch in some discomfort on 73 minutes, before the Cherries struck the killer blow.
The fear was that the former Manchester United man would be another casualty on Town’s lengthy injury list of nine crocked senior players.
But boss Rob Edwards said: “He’ll be OK. It was a contact injury, so he was in a lot of pain, but he’ll be OK.
“I’m really pleased with Chongy’s impact. Getting consistent playing time has been great for him. He’s working really hard, doing lots of things well and has been a real threat for us.
“You know when he was affecting games for us, coming on, that’s been the message to try and get that from the start.
“He’s been doing that now. The goal and Liverpool and he’s scored the other day and he’s been creating big moments consistently in lots of games, so we need that. He’s been good.”
There was a further blow to Luton’s chances of Elijah Adebayo returning this season, with Edwards confirming the top scorer has had a setback.
But there is hope that influential Arsenal loan midfielder Sambi Lokonga may be back after the upcomin international break.
“Sambi’s the next one that we’re hoping to get back, but not too many on the horizon, unfortunately,” said Edwards.
Defender Gabriel Osho limped out of the draw with Crystal Palace last weekend and was seen with heavy strapping on his knee afterwards.
He’s been called up to the Nigeria squad for the first time but it remains to be seen if he’ll travel.
Asked if Osho will be back for Luton after the international fortnight, Edwards said: “I hope so. This rest will be good for him, but he’s still in pain today so he’s not going to be good for tomorrow.”
Town’s injury crisis has particularly left them with just two recognised centre halves in Reece Burke and Teden Mengi, but as they play three at the back, right wing back Daiki Hashioka was asked to play there at Bournemouth.
The Japanese international was beaten by Dominic Solanke for Bournemouth’s first goal and was targeted for the Antoine Semenyo’s brace.
Luton do have Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu in their ranks, who came to the club a decade ago as a defender, before being transformed into a midfielder.
“I don’t think we need to look at him as a centre back, but he’s someone we can look at for the game,” said Edwards.
“I don’t think we’re in need of putting another square peg in a round hole, if you like.
“We’ll look at Forest and their strengths and we’ll look at where we can hurt them as well, but we’ll have to try to get the right people in the right positions to deal with their threats as well.
“They’ve got some similar threats to Bournemouth, with their speed and quality, especially on that top line.”
