Graeme Jones is boosted by the return of Glen Rea, hailing his first league start for 13 months for giving Luton some resilience that could be vital for the club’s Championship survival hopes.
Those ambitions were dealt a big blow last night after Stoke City – who had been the team Town needed to catch to get out of relegation – upset promotion hopefuls West Bromwich Albion with a 1-0 win at the Hawthorns to extend a seven-point gap between them and the Hatters.
With the worst goal difference in the division by some distance, Luton are effectively eight points adrift at the foot of the table.
However, Jones believes his side can still pull off a great escape, providing he can make some signings before the January transfer window shuts and get his injured players off the treatment table.
Rea was one of the long-term injured, having suffered a serious knee injury in December 2018, but he made his first Championship start in Sunday’s 3-1 defeat at Nottingham Forest, giving the manager a boost.
“Glen’s a real specialist defensive midfield player and I think he gave us a bit of resistance, resilience and understanding. I’m delighted just to have him available, going forward,” the manager said.
The 25-year-old, who was Town captain before his injury, was sent on a month’s loan to National League Woking during November to get him some game time, where he made seven appearances.
He was then handed his Championship debut as a half time substitute in what was a relegation six-pointer at Stoke in December, but he punished for a mistake in a disappointing 3-0 defeat.
It was almost a month before he was handed a start in the 4-0 FA Cup third round defeat at Bournemouth, where he completed 90 minutes.
A further run out in a 2-0 behind-closed-doors game against Beijing Rehne last week was then rewarded at the City Ground with his first Championship start.
Asked about Rea’s promising personal display during 72 minutes on the pitch, Jones said: “I’m delighted but I’ve made him work for it because he’s wanted to play since November.
“We gave him a go at Stoke and he wasn’t quite ready. He hasn’t got disappointed. He played at Bournemouth and against the Chinese League One team in the week.”
With Rea now back, plus positive news on Izzy Brown and Danny Hylton, who both also featured against Beijing, Jones reiterated his two two other targets to help boost his squad.
“We’ve got to get everybody fit,” said Jones, adding: “We’ve got to try to get one or two (transfers) that is going to add to what we’ve got.”
