Luton may have up to 13 players out injured ahead of travelling to face Premier League title-chasers Arsenal tomorrow, with boss Rob Edwards saying it’s the biggest football challenge he’s ever had.
The 41-year-old had had to cope with the cardiac arrest of club captain Tom Lockyer during a match at Bournemouth in December, though football was irrelevant at that stage and thankfully the Welshman was saved despite his heart stopping for two minutes and 40 seconds.
But in terms of day-to-day challenges of club management, Luton’s injury crisis is virtually unprecedented and Edwards could have potentially just one fit and available centre half to pick, in Teden Mengi.
Town lost 2-1 to the Gunners’ north London rivals, Tottenham, on Saturday in yet another disastrous afternoon for personnel problems as goalscorer Tahith Chong, Alfie Doughty and centre back Reece Burke all got injured.
That was on top of ten senior players out, but the three new injuries will be assessed today, with the club moving their training from the morning to the afternoon today to give them as much time as possible to recover.
Edwards, said of the trio: “A couple of them are very doubtful. Maybe we’ll get one, maybe we’ll get two (back). They’re not 50/50. Some are more than that. Some are 50/50. Everyone else is out, so there could be 11, 12, 13 players out.”
It means that Luton will have at least four Academy players on the bench at The Emirates Stadium, with the potential for more, if Doughty, Chong and Burke do not recover.
“It’s the biggest challenge I’ve ever had, aside from a real serious incident that we had with our captain, it is the most difficult and challenging period I’ve ever faced. I’ve never know anything like it, and we’re coming up against the best teams in the world in this period as well.
“So, if I’m speaking honestly, to be competing the way we did, especially on Saturday against another top team, with the challenges we’re facing, we’re doing pretty well.
“That being said, we want to get points and we need to get points. We’ll try, but it’s a really big challenge. Not just tomorrow, but Saturday as well.
“Bournemouth are a really good side and to be as depleted as we are – the lads have given everything and have been brilliant – but it’s hard to be your best when you’ve got so many players missing.”
Asked if he’s considered resting players for the Bournemouth game at the weekend, Edwards said: “There’s an element of that, but if they were ready I’d pick them, and if they’re not then I won’t be able to.
“And, if they’re not, we’ll see if we can turn them around for Saturday. If they’re not ready for Wednesday, then there’s a big doubt for Saturday as well. It’s just where we’re at.”
