Luton’s Alfie Doughty will be sidelined for around a month, but boss Rob Edwards has said his damaged ankle ligament is not down to the Hatter limping through the last few minutes against Cardiff.
A stretcher was called for the wing back when he suffered a late injury in the victory over the Welsh side last month, but after receiving treatment Doughty and the physio made the call that he could return to the pitch.
Town had used all of their substitutions and protecting a narrow 1-0 lead, Doughty wanted to remain on the pitch to help the side.
After missing the following 5-1 defeat at Middlesbrough, it was hoped that there would be better news after the international break.
But ahead of the visit of fellow Championship strugglers Hull tomorrow, Edwards said of Doughty’s likely return: “It might be closer to the new year. His head’s right now, he’s in decent spirits, he’s got his head around it and working hard now to hopefully come back in a stronger shape.”
On Doughty’s limping last few minutes against Cardiff, Edwards said: “That’s nothing to do with it (the injury). The damage was done. It was just a couple of minutes to go and I’d love to think that everyone would try their best for the team at that moment to see out the game that we were winning, so that’s just the situation we’re in now.”
But as the Championship’s leading chance creator, losing Doughty is a blow, and Edwards said: “Fast, dynamic, good left-footed players are quite difficult to come by. So, he is a miss. But again it’s an opportunity for somebody else and that’s the nature of the game. This is one we couldn’t really do anything about. The tackle, contact and it’s one of those things but Alfie will work hard to be back as quickly as possible.”
However, there is good news for Reece Burke who is fit and available to face old club Hull City tomorrow.
“He’s fit and ready for selection, which is really positive,” said Edwards.
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