Callum McManaman is edging towards a first-team return after the Luton winger scored the only goal in a behind-closed-doors at Brentford on Tuesday.
A groin injury has seen the summer signing absent from Championship action with the 2-1 home reverse to his old side West Bromwich Albion, his last start.
A substitute’s appearance at Cardiff in the Carabao Cup followed but he’s been out of action since.
After starring against Brentford B, boss Graeme Jones was asked if McManaman is back to full fitness, and said: “He’s getting there. I’m really pleased with him.
“The individual work that we’ve been doing with has improved him visit physically. He’s got maybe a little bit to go, that first-team football would bring, but he’s made progress and that’s pleasing.”
Brendan Galloway couldn’t complete a half at Griffin Park and he’ll be assessed tomorrow before the league clash against Hull City on Saturday.
“He felt his patellar tendon,” Jones said, adding: “He came off five minutes before half-time so we are assessing to see how he is. I was pleased with him at QPR And he had a real impact on the game so I have to see where he is tomorrow.
Defender Martin Cranie trained today, but is the Hull clash is likely to be too soon for him, while Danny Hylton is not as far advanced in his recovery from surgery on his knee.
Jones said: “Martin is pain-free, which is a great position to be in. He was out on the pitch today working really really hard, so he’s getting closer. Danny is not out on the pitch yet, so he’s some weeks away, but I’m really pleased with where Martin is.”
Asked if Luton will try to play more behind-closed-doors games this term to give his squad more game time, Jones said: “I think we have to and I spoke to Callum McManaman, nothing prepares you for the big pitch, small-sided games, you can play in house training games, but it’s savage when there’s points (to play for), me against you, it’s your livelihood on display and you’ve got to find a way of competing.
“You’ve got to find a way of winning, you’ve got to find a way of being better and you have to get comfortable being uncomfortable, as that’s what a full-size pitch does.
“You’ve got to find a way of enjoying it, you’ve got to find a way of being effective, it’s only a 90-minute football match that does that for you.
“But, you go back to players’ attitudes, that game’s a waste of time if a player’s attitude isn’t what it was on Tuesday.
“Their attitudes were first-class, we didn’t carry a player, it was a really good finish, so hopefully, if we can, with the right type of friendly, we’ll keep that going, depending on the needs of the players.”
On the win at Brentford, Jones added: “I can’t remember ever seeing a friendly played in such a competitive way. I think it was great preparation for the lads who played and, now we’ve got five games in two weeks, so I’m sure we’ll need everybody over this period.
“It was in preparation for this period as much as anything, but it was a great game, one we won and there was a great desire there. There was a pattern in our play and we tried one or two things so it was a really good day’s work.”
