Rob Edwards is confident he’s got the options to fill the role of Albert Sambi Lokonga after the Arsenal loanee suffered a hamstring injury that will sideline him for months.
The midfielder had to be withdrawn in last week’s 1-1 Premier League draw with Wolverhampton Wanderers and then he announced in midweek that he’s expected to be out of action for a couple of months.
Lokonga has returned to Arsenal for his treatment and after two positive performances at the heart of Town’s team, Edwards will have to find alternative solutions.
“I still think we’ve got people who can do that role,” said the manager, adding: “I’ve got real confidence in the group. It just gives someone else an opportunity now.
“We’re really disappointed for him because he’s made a great impression on us. He’s a brilliant lad and he wanted to come and play football. He made a great start, but we’ve got to support him now and make sure he gets the best treatment he can.
“It gives someone else an opportunity now and that’s it.”
Pelly-Ruddock and Luke Berry played in Tuesday’s Carabao Cup defeat at Exeter City, with Edwards saying their performances were some of the positives from a difficult night.
Looking ahead to Everton and replacing Lokonga, Edwards said: “All our midfielders are all options, so I’m still comfortable that we’ve got more than enough in the ranks to cope with it, it’s just unfortunate as we brought him (Lokonga) in with a real eye on him helping us and it looked like he was really going to do that in the first couple of games as well. So, of course I’m disappointed from a selfish point of view for the club, but more for him as well because he’s a great lad and he’s just desperate to play.”
Edwards confirmed that the Belgian international has returned to Arsenal’s London Colney training base, saying: “He’s back there and I think there’ll be a plan for him and we’ll make sure we do the right thing for him as the player is the most important thing in this obviously.”
On the injury, the Luton boss said: “It was just a bit of a bad one, I’m no physio, it doesn’t need surgery, it’s just a high grade one, it’s just going to need a lot more time. There’s different grades of them, Ross Barkley for instance was a lower one, that’s why he was just a few weeks, but unfortunately Sambi it was a higher one and just where it was as well means its going to be a longer period of time, that’s why it was an unfortunate one.”
Asked if he’s considered using a defender in Lokonga’s role, Edwards joked: “You’re getting a bit like Pep now. Have you been watching a bit of City?
“I’m not sure we’re at that stage right now. I get it though, we’ve got some talented defenders who can step into that role and I think have done it in the past, but it’s not something I’m considering right now.”
