Nathan Jones has Jones offered further hope that top scorer Elijah Adebayo will be available to face Huddersfield in Friday’s Championship Play-Off semi-final first leg.
The striker has been out since suffering a hamstring injury late in the 1-1 draw with Blackpool just under three weeks ago.
Adebayo revealed he’d been undergoing cryotherapy extreme freeing treatment to try and speed his recovery, admitted at Sunday’s Luton Town Supporters’ Trust Awards that he was “quietly confident” of a return.
Today, speaking about injury concerns in his squad, Jones said: “We’re closer every day, in terms of that. (There are) some big, big players that are much, much closer to being available for selection tomorrow than they were a week ago, for example, so we’re in a far better place.
Asked about Adebayo, the manager said: “I mentioned, inadvertently, big players and Elijah’s a big player for us, so it’s far better news on Elijah.”
On his cryotherapy treatment, Jones said: “Yes, we have Cryo at the training ground, have an oxygen chamber just up the road, so everything really, he’s in a real good place so we’re happy with that, because it will be really nice to have him available.”
Skipper Sonny Bradley said: “If we do get him back over the next couple of games, it will be a real boost as he’s been one of our best performers this season and he does make a real difference when he plays, so any contribution from Elijah over the next three games will be a boost for the boys.”
The manager also revealed that Luke Berry is closer to a return, while confirming that midfielder Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzy won’t play again this season after undergoing a knee cartilage operation.
“He’s had an operation so he won’t be fit, he’s one we won’t get back,” said Jones of Mpanzu, adding: “It’s just a little cartilage clean-up which will keep him out until June, so unless the final gets postponed, we won’t be seeing Pelly.”
There was some concern that Berry might not play again this term, but Jones said: “He’s a lot closer, boots are precautionary.
“They look far worse, you look like a Stormtrooper in one, but they’re actually precaution and prevention rather than some disaster has happened.
“Luke is a lot closer, he’s just not been able to gather any momentum really as every time he does he kind of breaks down and that stems from the fact that he was injured in pre-season. We’ve been disappointed with that as Luke has been a big, big miss.”
