Luton will be without Reece Burke and Liam Walsh for the trip to Norwich City, but boss Rob Edwards saying the defender’s injury is “frustrating” as he’s working on becoming more resilient.
The 28-year-old only returned last weekend from almost a month out, but he was withdrawn with a quad issue during Wednesday’s 3-0 defeat at Championship leaders Leeds United.
When he’s fit, Burke is a regular starter, but he’s only managed to play in ten of Town’s 17 games this term, and was only available for 26 last season.
“It’s a tough one to take that one,” said Edwards of Burke’s latest injury, adding; “He’s a really key player for us and if he’s fit and available we want to be able to play him. But also he’s been out for a while and trying to manage his game time and minutes is very, very challenging.
“Hopefully he’s not out for long. Hopefully we’ve caught it before it’s anything serious, but it is frustrating. When you’ve got an important player like that and he’s available, I want to be able to pick him.
“(It’s) a disappointing one, but other people then get opportunities and we need them to step up.”
Asked if the defender will have to deal with persistent injury problems for the rest of his career, Edwards said: “He is someone who gives absolutely 100 per cent every day, all of the time. And he’s really committed to try and improve and become more resilient. We’re trying to help with that and work with him on it.
“It’s a really unfortunate situation because he’s keen to play and he’s desperate to do well for himself and for us and help the team. And when he’s fit in available, more often than not we want to play because he can help.
“So, it’s a difficult situation and we were aware going into it, and the second game of the week, that there’s a vulnerability there. But he helps us. And he played so well when you know, when he was on the pitch and the Hull game that I want him to go again.
“I felt it was the right thing, with Victor (Moses) giving us maybe a little bit more attacking threat down that side, for Burkey, to give us that balance on the opposite side (against Leeds).
“You don’t need to tell him twice to get forward and he did for an opportunity in that first half. But, defensively, as well he can help because of the threats that they had going that way.
“So, yeah, it’s frustrating, but he gives everything and he’s really committed to working hard in his body and everything to try and become more resilient. We’re working on that with him. so, yes, it’s a difficult one.”
Also missing for the trip to Carrow Road, will be midfielder Walsh, who was not on the team-sheet against Leeds in midweek.
Edwards said: “Walshie wasn’t involved on the game the other night because he felt his hamstring unfortunately, after the Hull game. That was the reason why he wasn’t involved (at Leeds). Hopefully we can get him back soon, but he’s a no for tomorrow as well.”
Those two new injuries add to the longer term ones for Reuell Walters (broken foot) and Alfie Dougty (ankle), with the latter still expected to be absent for another month.
“He’d be a mess for for anyone wouldn’t he?” said the manager. “He brings a lot to the team, Alf, a lot of forward thrust and obviously quick players, left-footed, are few and far between.
“So he would be a miss for anybody, But, as I say, while we haven’t got him, we have to deal with that.”
Asked if Luton will need to look for another left-side player in the January transfer window, Edwards said: “Potentially. With everyone fit and available – we miss Reuell as well, it gives us some flexibility, Amari’i at times, – that would give us help and flexibility as well. So it’s not just been him (Doughty), it’s been the three of them missing for certain games, and obviously that provides big challenges.
“We hope then, when Alfie’s fit and available, he’s fit and available and it’s hard then you want to bring people into the group that’s going to help and improve you. So you’ve got to try and get that balance right. We’ll see what we’ll do in January, obviously we’re working towards that.”
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