Luton will be without Daiki Hashioka for the visit of Derby tomorrow, with the Japanese international adding to the Hatters’ defensive injury list.
The right back, who filled in as a centre half at Blackburn last week, joins fellow crocked defenders Reuell Walters (foot), Alfie Doughty (ankle), Reece Burke (quad), Amari’i Bell (hamstring), Teden Mengi (knee), while it was confirmed that Tom Lockyer was nearing a return after his cardiac arrest one year ago, but has undergone surgery for an ankle ligament injury.
That has seen Luton sign Erik Pieters on a one-month short-term deal, but the former Netherlands international has not played since March when he was at West Bromwich Albion.
The 36-year-old did train with the Hatters in the summer after he left the Baggies, but Town did not make a move for him then.
With midfielders Shandon Baptiste (calf) and Liam Walsh (suspended for four games) also out, it leaves Luton depleted for their last game before Christmas.
“There’s been some setbacks, still, that does seem to be going on and on, on repeat,” said manager Rob Edwards.
“Hashi, I think, it’s not a significant one, but it came off last week, and it just looks like a very slight strain.
“He’s been out in the grass already, but tomorrow might be too soon for him. That’s the only one from the actual game from last week.
“We’ve taken Eric Peters in during the week because we’ve had some of these issues and that’s even linked to Locks. We’ve had Locks doing really well. Obviously everything’s fine from a cardiac point of view, but then (he) cleared the ball in training then rolled his ankle, badly. And then he’s had to go under the knife and have an operation to fix that damaged ligament in his ankle.
“So yeah, we had to then take a decision to just bolster the squad a little bit just on the short term, and Erik can come in and help us a little bit with that. Walshie’s suspended and that’s where we’re at going into tomorrow.”
But Edwards confirmed that central defender Mads Andersen is available and fit to play, should he be called on. The Danish defender has been blighted by injuries since he signed from Barnsley last summer and this season, he’s only featured three times, with the last of those a nine minute cameo almost two weeks ago against Swansea.
“Mads, obviously he’s been training for a while now,” said the manager, adding: “. “He did have a little bit of game time recently at home. It will always take time and game time to be able to get fully up to speed, but he’s obviously ready and able to play and to do that from the start as well.
“So, Mads is ready. And then it’ll be down to him then to make sure he’s the real Mads Anderson then as well. From a training point of view now, he’s had a good number of weeks, so he’s ready and available.
“Mads has been training now for, I think, four weeks, fully. And we’ve built him up to the point now where he’s actually training every session fully as well. And not maybe missing a day and being inside, or something like that. So he’s been training fully and he’s available as well. So, we’re OK.”
Derby will arrive at Kenilworth Road having beaten Portsmouth 4-0 to end a run of six games without a win, though they played out a stalemate with promotion-chasing Burnley prior to that victory.
And with so many Hatters defenders out injured, Edwards highlighted a characteristic of County’s that could prove problematic.
“(They’re) really quick, physically. A fast team as well and lots of speed in there. They’re a good team Paul’s (Warne) done a really, really good job there,” the manager said of his opposite number.
“It’ll be another difficult game. They’ll be aggressive and they’ll look to try and win the game, so I think that makes for a decent watch as well. Hopefully both teams will be, be going for it.
“We’ve had a good week to be able to plan and prep and look forward to another challenging game against good opposition who, last time out, were really good.”
The Rams will also bring two former Hatters who played a huge part in Luton’s rise up the Football League, with goalscorer James Collins and former captain Sonny Bradley in their ranks.
The defender played in the 0-0 draw against Burnley, but that was his only appearance in almost two months, among a total of six across the season.
Collins on the other hand, has featured 16 times for Derby, but is yet to score this season.
Edwards said: “(It’s) always good to welcome back former players and people that mean so much to the club as well. If they’re in and around it, then it’d be lovely to see them. I’m sure the fans will give them a great reception.”
But the Town boss acknowledges that the pressure is on his team to get a result, as they’ve lost seven straight games away from Kenilworth Road, and will spend the post-Christmas period on the road at Bristol and Swansea.
“At home, because of how the last the last game went, away from home, it sort of ramps it up a little bit more, going into two away games,” said Edwards.
“But they’re all they’re all big, they’re all important. We’ve got to we’ve got to focus on each and every one at the moment.
“We’re aware of what’s coming next but can only focus on what’s ahead of us right now. That’s Derby at home.”
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