Chiedozie Ogbene is fit to face West Ham in Luton’s do-or-die Premier League relegation clash, with boss Rob Edwards hoping he can make an impact like Elijah Adebayo.
The winger has not featured since March when he injured his hamstring while on international duty with the Republic of Ireland, but was the last realistic hope of a returning Hatter from the club’s extensive injury list which stretched to more than 10 players at a one point two months ago.
“We’ve got Chieo back training with us,” said Edwards, adding: “Chieo Ogbene’s been training with us for the last couple of games, which is good, so he can come into the squad. Other than that, we’re where we were.”
But it’s a boost to add to the impressive return of Adebayo In the last fortnight, defying warnings that the striker’s season might have been over, also after a hamstring problem and with some setbacks in his rehabilitation.
The frontman made a impressive impact off the bench at Wolves in his first appearance for two-and-a-half months, and then last week, in his first start in that time, he netted an important goal against Everton, which has kept Town in the hunt for Premier League survival.
“Eli had a little bit more training than Chieo but he’d been out for a considerable amount of time and made a big impact, so if required, let’s hope that Chieo can as well,” said Edwards.
At West Ham tomorrow, Luton know that a defeat will effectively relegate them back to the Championship, but Edwards will have his strongest squad to pick from since January in order to try to get a positive result, and then hope it’s better than what Nottingham Forest can achieve at home to Chelsea in the evening kick-off.
“We’ll try and get him involved,” Edwards said of Ogbene, adding: “He’s only had a couple of days of training, but we’re at the stage now where we want to try to get players that can influence games back involved. Chieo is one of those.”
In his 14 games since the turn of the year the Irishman bagged four goals, while his pace could give Luton a different dimension in attack.
Edwards said: “He’s been a player that we missed. As I say, he’s had two days of training. And match day minus two and one are never the most intense of sessions.
“There’s elements that we can work on with a bit of intensity, but there’ll always be an element of risk if he’s on the pitch.
“But, clearly, when he’s on it and we can get him in the right areas with the right spaces, he can cause anyone problems.”
The Hatters are also boosted by the availability of joint top scorer Carlton Morris and talismanic midfielder Ross Barkley after they both were ordered to stay at home as a precaution after reporting unwell at training on Tuesday.
It meant they both missed Luton Town Supporters’ Trust’s end of season award bash that night with the former Everton man scooping three gongs in his absence.
Asked about there availability, Edwards said: “Good as gold, a couple of good days training so they’re ready to go. They’re fine.”
