Doughty and physio made call to play on despite late injury in victory over Cardiff

Rob Edwards has a word with Alfie Doughty after the final whistle with medics ready to help the Hatter off the pitch

Rob Edwards said Alfie Doughty wanted to play on despite an injury which saw him hobbling around up front at the end of last night’s 1-0 win over Cardiff.

The wing back provided the assist for Jacob Brown’s winner but towards the end of the Championship clash he hurt his ankle and a stretcher was called for.

But Doughty managed to get to his feet and limp to the sidelines, where it was expected that he’d sit out the final few minutes, leaving Luton one man short because they’d used up all their substitutes.

Alfie Doughty on the turf after the final whistle surrounded by Shandon Baptiste, Marvelous Nakamba and Jordan Clark

But the 24-year-old came back on to make up the numbers before needing some further treatment and assistance after victory was confirmed.

Hatters boss Edwards said: “He’s sore. It’s around his ankle area. So we’ll have to see how it is. At the time, I’ve just apologised now, I’m like, ‘get him up’. You know, we don’t want any more time added on.

“But then he’s obviously in a bit of a bad way and soldiered on, I just put him up front to hobble around up front.

“It wasn’t my call. I thought he was coming off. We were getting ready to just play five, four and just defend for the last few minutes, but he came back on. We’ll see how he is now. Hopefully he’s OK.”

Asked if it was a concern that Doughty continued playing despite being in discomfort, Edwards said: “I don’t know. The fact that the physio is saying, ‘no, he’s all right. I’m happy for him to go on’, it gave me a bit of confidence and Alfie himself wants to do it as well. Player and physio is saying it, go and do it, so let’s see how he is.”