Mick Harford has revealed that he and some of his fellow coaches had been struck down with Covid, but are all now back at it ahead of the play-off six-pointer against Queens Park Rangers on Sunday.
The assistant manager, Paul Hart and Chris Cohen were all missing from Wednesday’s 1-0 win at Coventry, which put Luton back into the top six, one place and one point above their next opponents.
Harford, who had two spells as caretake boss at Rangers, said: “I was suffering from Covid, but I’m back fit and well, thankfully.
“Myself and Paul and Chris had a bit of Covid, so we’re all back in the building now, so everyone’s hopefully fit and well for the weekend and see where we are.
“We’ve been very, very vigilant, we’ve obeyed all the orders of the Covid rules and are sticking by them, it’s been tough for a few of us over the last week or so.”
Absences on the bench meant club captain Sonny Bradley took an active role in the dugout in midweek.
Harford said: “Sonny plays a big part at this football club, he’s our captain and he wants to be in their supporting the team and supporting the players which is very, very commendable and we love that, we love everyone to be part of it.
“Yes, we had a lot of staff missing, the lads and Nathan did a brilliant job with (first-team coach) Alan Sheehan and got them over the line, so with us missing, I wouldn’t say it made it harder for them, probably made it a little bit easier for them.”
Bradley hasn’t played since January 22 but is now back in training after a hernia/groin operation. However, the central defender won’t be ready to face QPR.
“Sonny is on the grass now,” said Harford, adding: “It’s been a long road for Sonny, he’s had that many setbacks, he’s back training now, so hopefully it won’t be long, but I can’t see it being over the next week or so.”
Also missing will be Gabriel Osho, with the assistant manager confirming: “Gabe’s got a bit of a hamstring, so he won’t be available for the weekend. It’s one that we’re monitoring at the moment, but he had a bit of a nasty injury Gabe, but hopefully that will clear up shortly.”
Town signed West Brom goalkeeper Alex Palmer on an emergency seven-day loan last week, after Jed Steer suffered an Achilles injury in the FA Cup defeat to Chelsea.
That was because number one James Shea has had a hamstring problem. Asked whether that loan deal will rollover into this coming week, Harford said: “We’re a bit unsure on that position at the moment, so it’s something we’re monitoring as we speak, so I can’t give you any more information on that one.”
Fred Onyedinma wasn’t involved at Coventry either, but Harford confirmed that was just a tactical team selection issue, rather than an injury.
“Fred missed out because of the competition,” said the former England international.
“When you’re looking at the squad we have a real big squad now, and that’s probably the hardest part of the manager’s job, picking the squad, picking who’s going to play, who’s going to be on the bench.
“You look at the team that played against Chelsea and three or four of those boys weren’t even on tube bench the next game, so it’s a real hard job for the manager. We honestly believe that to be successful you need a good squad and a big squad, and that’s what we’ve got at the moment.
“Everyone will be used within that squad until the end of the season and everyone will play a part.”
