Two midfielders have suffered the same injury and will be missing from Luton’s Championship relegation fight for six weeks, but boss Matt Bloomfield has revealed that there is some more positive injury news elsewhere in the squad ahead of tomorrow’s Portsmouth clash.
Marvelous Nakamba and Shandon Baptiste were both withdrawn in Sunday’s 2-0 defeat at arch-rivals Watford, with the latter a second half substitute, who lasted 25 minutes.
The former Brentford man had only just returned from a near three-month injury and the appearance at Vicarage Road was only his second. But both damaged the soles muscle in their calves, which see them crocked into April.
“Shandon and Marv, both out six weeks. Both got soles injuries, so we’ll be missing them for a little period of time,” said boss Matt Bloomfield.
“it’s not ideal, losing your two holding midfield players in the same game to the same injury. Not ideal at all. We tried to look after both in between the games and do everything you possibly can, but it’s been a story of the season.
“It’s not ideal. It’s not easy to manage, but it is what it is and we’ll have to deal with it.”
Nakmba has been used sparingly and has only made 21 league appearances. Explaining how his injury was picked up, Bloomfield said: “We took Marvel off at half time [at Watford] because I felt like he wasn’t moving very well. I didn’t realise he was injured.
“We were getting overrun. We’ve spoken about that already. About how we need to be quicker. We need to be fitter. We need to be more robust and playing more games regularly. so we’ve had to make three changes to affect the game at half time. and then I found out that he had a tight calf. Then I got told he had a scan and it was six weeks out.”
Asked if the injuries could be season ending for both midfielders, Bloomfield said: “Possibly. Well, doesn’t leave long, does it?”
Baptiste has made just 14 Championship appearances this term, having suffered injury problems at Brentford. He hurt himself in the previous game against Plymouth, but managed to play on. Asked if the club has to look at their recruitment of injury prone players, Bloomfield said: “Absolutely. There’s lots to look at. There’s lots to look at, with recruitment, with the training we’ve prep with everything. We have to look at ourselves because we’re not winning right now. So we have to look at ourselves in the mirror and we have to improve.”
However, there is more positive injury news elsewhere. Defenders Kal Naismith (hamstring) and Mark McGuinness (ankle) both missed the derby game at the weekend, but the former is available and Town are hopeful of their summer signing will be too, but he will be assessed later today.
“He’s fine. He’s back. He’s training this morning. He’s in good shape, so we’re really pleased to have him back ready for tomorrow,” Bloomfield said of Naismith.
“I think we all saw in the two games that we played, Sheffield United in Plymouth, just what a big influence he is, not only on himself in the way he plays but the way he influences those around him.
“We really missed him last Sunday and we’re really pleased to have him back.”
On McGuinness, the manager added: “Mark’s nearly there. He’s touch and go. We might be able to include him. We’re just giving him as long as we possibly can.
“He’s done some work this morning and he’s just about read, we hope. We’re just going to assess him again this afternoon and see where he’s at.”
However, centre half Reece Burke’s return has suffered a setback due to illness, as he had been close to a return but has been sick for a week.
“Burkey’s been ill. So on top of injuries, we’ve had illness in the camp. Obviously, Carlton [Morris] missed the Plymouth game. Sheasy’s missed a period of time. Burkey missed near on a week with illness, which is set him back with his fitness work.
“He’s not far away. I keep saying that. I feel like he’s not far. Being told he’s not far, but he’s had a setback, so he’s not ready.”
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