Luton have three players returning for the trip to in-form Bournemouth in the Premier League, but boss Rob Edwards says he has a “big decision” to make with Marvelous Nakamba suspended.
Last week against leaders Arsenal close and champions Manchester City Town ran them close but ultimately came away with nothing.
It has left the Hatters four points adrift at the bottom of the table, which has been exacerbate by Bournemouth’s fine run of results of four wins from their last fives games, including a first-ever win at Old Trafford when they beat Manchester United 3-0 last week.
Against City on Sunday, Luton were missing Chiedozie Ogebene, Gabriel Osho and Issa Kaboré, who was ineligible due to being on loan from the European champions.
Manager Edwards said: “Chieo’s back, available, which is good news for us. Gabe Osho as well. So a couple that we had missing. Issa Kabore is available a gain. He wasn’t available because it (Manchester City) was his parent club.
“It’s good. We said over the last few weeks that we’ll be getting something like back to full strength, which is a positive.”
Republic of Ireland ace Ogbene has been nursing a foot injury since the last international break in November and he missed out entirely against City.
Asked if he’s fully recovered, Edwards said: “Not quite, but he’s available, which is good.”
But Town will be without Nakamba who picked up his fifth booking of the season and will be suspended for the trip to the Vitality Stadium.
Albert Sambi Lokonga, made his return from a serious hamstring injury as a substitute against Manchester City, playing the last 25 minutes.
Asked if the Belgian will come in for Nakamba, Edwards said: “Potentially, but we know we’ve got Pelly (Ruddock Mpanzu) and Clicks (Jordan Clark) in that area, so I’ve got options and a big decision to make. I’m really confident that whoever we go with will be able to perform and give us what we need for this game.
“They’re going to need energy but we want quality because we know we’re going to be pressed aggressively, so they’re have to take the ball and be brave.
“But I feel like all three of those players are capable of doing that.”
Town were boosted at the weekend by the return to the squad of defender Mads Andersen and the Dane played in the 2-1 defeat to Chelsea in the Premier League Cup for the Under-21s in the week.
“I love the guy. Brilliant,” said Edwards, adding: “We’ve missed him and having him as an option, Gabe as well. Burkey is hopefully not too far away. It gives us real strength and depth in those (defensive) positions and difficult decisions for me.”
Defender Dan Potts hasn’t featured at all this term and just when he was back on the grass, training, he suffered another setback recently.
Edwards said: “It’s good news, when he went to see a specialist, so we know what the issue was. There’s some scar tissue there on the hamstring, so hopefully now we can sort that and hopefully not be too long, because it’s been a really frustrating time for him. I’m pleased we’ve hopefully got to the bottom of that.”
Forward Cauley Woodrow hasn’t played since October and Edwards said: “He’s trained, full training for the last couple of days. I’m not going to involve him for this week. I don’t want to push it too quickly and take any unnecessary risks. He’ll do some work here, at home tomorrow and then be available, going forwards.”
