Rob Edwards says Luton are “working behind the scenes” to get up to seven players back from injury after a pre-season camp in Slovenia.
The Hatters played two behind-closed-doors games while abroad, beating Ukrainian top-flight side Rukh Lviv 1-0, but losing 3-2 to Turkish outfit Göztepe.
That reverse against the new Süper Lig side, saw Edwards only able to field Tom Holmes as the only available centre back.
Neither of the foreign friendlies featured defenders Amari’i Bell, Reece Burke, Teden Mengi or Mads Andersen, while Daiki Hashioka – who did fill in as a centre half last term – got injured in the Lviv game.
Carlton Morris, who scored in that game, didn’t feature against Göztepe, while Jacob Brown, Marvelous Nakamba, who both suffered serious knee injuries last term, are not yet fully recovered. Back-up keeper Tim Krul also didn’t play in Slovenia amid links with a move away from the club.
Edwards told the Hatters’ website: “It’s tough at the moment because we’re still managing people and bodies. We had two games as well, different to last year, so there is a recovery day in there as well.
“Because we haven’t got two teams that I could play 60/30 and 30/60, like that. I’m spinning a few plates and looking after people.
“We had Hashi’s injury, which was frustrating, but apart from that, really good. We got to know a couple of new additions, some of the young lads have been getting well accepted into the group and have stepped up really well, and Slovenia has, once again, looked after us really, really well.
“Two good games, two tough tests, lots to work on and continue to build on.
“Overall, it’s really positive. I’m not going to let today’s result spoil my thoughts.
“We’ve got lots to work on and we know we’ve got a lot of people to come back and help us as well. We’re working hard behind the scenes to get three, four, five, six, seven people back. Hopefully as soon as possible.“
