Luton have wrapped Kal Naismith and Mark McGuinness in cotton wool this week, so have no fresh injury concerns ahead of their trip to Burnley tomorrow, but are hoping there’s some good news for two other defenders after the Turf Moor test.
Naismith returned from a hamstring strain to face his former side Portsmouth last weekend, helping the Hatters to their first Championship win in 13 games, while McGuinness (ankle) had also been out but made his return off the bench.
However, the former Cardiff centre half injured himself again during his cameo but soldiered on to see out the victory.
“We’ve had to be careful with Kal. We’ve had to be careful with Mark, with the little knocks. [That’s] football, isn’t it? Mark comes on with a knock and gets another one straight away. So we’ve had to be careful with them,” said boss Matt Bloomfield.
And there was some positive news for Reece Burke and Daiki Hashioka, who are both back in training and though they won’t travel to Burnley, that is with the hope that both can start to feature after Luton return from Lancashire.
Burke has been absent since late November and has only made 10 appearances this term, but Bloomfield said: “Burkey’s back on the grass with us this week and been part of the the squad training this week, which has been fantastic.
“We’re not going to take him up to Burnley with us tomorrow because it’s two days with the squad Tuesday, Wednesday [that] he’s only been able to train and today, Friday. But he’s going to stay back and have another big day tomorrow, Saturday.
“We feel that’s the best preparation for him to be available, ready to play because he’s obviously got build up his fitness. But it’s been a big boost to have him back available.
“Apart from that, I don’t believe there’s any change.”
It’s a three-game week for Luton, with arguably the more crucial clash at Cardiff on Tuesday, seeing as they are the team that Town currently have to catch if they are to avoid relegation.
Asked if Burke could be available for that or next Saturday’s Middlesbrough match, Bloomfield said: “That’s the idea. And to get him in that right position, today he’s topping up and tomorrow he’ll have another big day. And he’ll be available to hopefully be selected at some point when’s right for him.
“I think it’s a fine balance. He’s a really big character, a massive player for us, has been for a few years now. But, he’s coming back from an injury, so we’ve got to make sure that we’re careful with him as well.”
Hashioka has been sidelined since the start of February with a knee injury and Bloomfield said of the Japanese defender: “Hashi’s back in training this week. He’s back and available.
“At the time of writing now, he’s not in the squad for tomorrow, unless anyone falls ill overnight or anything, because he’s just come back from his knee.
“He’ll be back here with Bukey tomorrow, working hard and ready to contribute for the week as and when called upon.”
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