Luton boss Rob Edwards eased fears about some looming injuries to key players by saying he’s not concerned after he was forced to make changes for the 2-0 win over Rotherham United.
Striker Elijah Adebayo and Alfie Doughty missed the Championship clash due to ankle and head injuries respectively, while top scorer Carlton Morris, who effectively bagged the winner, was withdrawn after 66 minutes.
His 18th of the season and Cauley Woodrow’s rebound penalty either side of half-time move the Hatters back up to third in the division, all but securing a play-off spot for a second campaign running.
But memories abound of Town limping into the end-of-season shootout last term with a squad decimated by injuries.
However, Edwards allayed any fears by saying of Morris early substitution: “It’s just precautionary. He’s just feeling his ankle, so we’ll see how he is. You saw him walking off, so I don’t think he’s too concerned but at that stage we all are. Of course, he’s a really important player for us and that was the reason we got him off when we did.”
Adebayo was one of the players that missed most of the run-in last term and he underwent cryotherapy to try to heal in time for the play-offs, but he was clearly not fit and could barely move when thrown on in the dying stages of the semi-final second leg at Huddersfield when Luton needed a goal to avoid defeat.
Edwards said: “Eli shouldn’t be long at all. I can’t guarantee he’ll be right for Wednesday (against Reading), but it won’t be long. He’s just hurt his ankle.
“We’ve been so good with injuries, to be able to pick a consistent group for a long period of time and at the moment we’re just managing one or two, but the good thing is they’re not lengthy ones.”
Influential playmaker Jordan Clark has been missing for a month with a calf injury, while it was revealed on Thursday that defender Gabriel Osho will be out for a number of weeks with a knee problem. And centre half Dan Potts hasn’t played since the end of January.
However, the game at Rotherham did see skipper Sonny Bradley return and complete 90 minutes for the first time since mid-October.
Edwards said: “We’ve got a couple to come back soon, so I’m not concerned, but with four games to go we’ve got a good number of points, which is really pleasing, first and foremost, and the health of the group is good. It could be better, but it’s good, so I’m not too concerned.”
Despite the revolving cast, Luton’s victory at Rotherham extended their unbeaten streak to ten games, which is their best showing in the second-tier since winning it in 1982 to kick-start a halcyon decade in the top flight.
Edwards told the BBC: “I’m really pleased with the lads. We said it’s going to take everybody. I can’t guarantee everyone’s going to get the minutes, but they’re a big part of it, the whole squad.
“Whether that’s in training, or you get on for a minute, or you play 95 minutes, we’re going to need everybody to be successful.
“I’m really pleased today because (there were) a couple of changes and one or two playing out of position, or in different positions, but we played really-really well.”
You need to be a part of a contest for one of the greatest websites on the internet. Im going to recommend this site!