Matt Bloomfield has confirmed defender Teden Mengi has avoided a long-term setback, but youngster Joe Johnson faces months on the sidelines.
Mengi was forced off with an ankle injury during the 2-0 pre-season win at Southend United last week, but a scan has brought positive news.
“His ankle’s stable,” Bloomfield told a media conference, adding: ” “He’s still going to be out for a small period of time, but nowhere near the length that we feared at one point. It’s going to be weeks rather than months.”
In contrast, Johnson has had surgery to fix a hamstring problem and the manager said: “He’s going to be out for three or four months, I believe, so it’s unfortunate for him. I actually thought Saturday at Gillingham and Tuesday at Southend were as good as I’ve seen him, and probably as robust and defensive as I’ve seen him. So I really feel for Joey.”
Earlier this week, the defender posted a photo from his hospital bed after emerging from surgery, and wrote on his Instagram account: “Absolutely gutted to have picked up an injury that has put me out of action for the rest of the year. However, surgery done and on the road to recovery. There’s no denying it will be a dark couple of months but this battle will make me stronger and I will come back a better man”.
Elsewhere, Bloomfield confirmed Mark McGuinness is regaining fitness after illness, having flown home from the club’s pre-season camp in Slovenia with a virus.
“He’s just going to play the first half of an under-21s game against Northampton, which was only arranged yesterday to give him 45 minutes, because he’s been ill and lost a bit of weight,” the Hatters boss confirmed.
Lamine Fanne is available again after concussion, while new loan signing Gideon Kodua and Tom Holmes have been handed minutes to sharpen fitness.
