Luton manager Rob Edwards is hoping to make signings in the “next week or so”, but for now is relieved after coming through a 2-2 friendly with Dundee United no more injuries.
The Hatters have made just two transfers this season with midfielder Shandon Baptiste and right back Reuell Walters coming in from Brentford and Arsenal respectively, while Ross Barkley (£5million to Aston Villa) and Gabriel Osho (free to Auxerre) have departed.
A pre-season camp in Slovenia and two friendlies against top flight sides from Ukraine (Rukh Lviv) and Turkey (Goztepe) saw Tom Holmes at Town’s only recognised centre half, as injuries from last term have bled into the summer preparations.
Reflecting to the draw at Tannardice, where a Jordan Clark penalty and an Alfie Doughty volley were levelled by a late United penalty, Edwards said: “No injuries, and it’s obvious that we don’t want any more. We’ve got some really key players to come back that are making good progress and we’re working really hard on getting one or two in, in this next week or so.”
Teden Mengi was missing from the friendlies in Slovenai, leaving fans fearing he might be set for a summer move away, after being linking with Fulham and Crystal Palace last term. However, the former Manchester United man returned against Dundee, easing some of those concerns, though striker Carlton Morris was missing.
Edwards said: “T was feeling one or two bits. We can’t have any more injuries so it’s important that we look after people. Carlton’s the same.
“Carlton is good, he’s in a good place. He’s out on the grass doing work but we’re just managing him at the moment. He will be fit for the game next week, so we’ll see Carlton back on the pitch against Celta Vigo, which is great for us, but we’re having to manage one or two people.
“Because we’ve got people out, there’s been a bit of a domino effect and we’re asking more and more of other people, which is then pushing them a bit more than what we’d like to do in pre-season.
“It’s been tough to juggle that around and we’ve not wanted to take any unnecessary risks with key players.”
But Edwards was pleased with an improved performance in Scotland, after losing 3-2 to Goztepe last week.
“I’m really pleased,” he told the Hatters website, adding: “In the first half, I thought we were electric. Obviously disappointed with the goal we gave away, we could’ve been better in that moment, but some of the football we played, some of the chances we created was excellent.
“Our intensity, we were getting in behind them, our regains were really good. There was a purpose to our play and we didn’t have that last week and that’s what I was frustrated with.
“We had a lot of the ball, which we know we’re going to have more of this year, but there was a purpose to our play. There was a threat, we got in behind and I thought we were exciting to watch, so I was really pleased with the first half.
“The second half lacked a little bit of rhythm, when we started making changes.
“We found it more difficult to get in behind and didn’t create the chances we did in the first half. But then we’ve got young players on the pitch.
“We finished with a really young team, mixed with some nice experience as well. Overall, it was a good night for us.”
