Alfie Doughty will be assessed ahead of tomorrow’s trip to Preston, but Cody Drameh will not feature, while there is more positive news on Dan Potts, Henri Lansbury, Jack Walton and Luke Freeman.
Left wing-back Doughty started in the 1-1 draw at Coventry at the weekend, but came off on 65 minutes with a groin issue. However, the extra day between games could prove positive for the former Stoke flyer.
Hatters boss Rob Edwards said: “The good thing about it is having an extra day, gives him a little bit more time, he’s feeling his groin, we thought it was coming from his back, he was out there training a little bit today, we’ll give him as much time as we can to make the call, so that’s what we’ll do.”
But Town will definitely be short of one threat on the opposite flank, with Leeds loanee Drameh ruled out of the trip to Deepdale, having missed the away-day at Coventry.
“He won’t be right for this one, we’ll see how he is for the weekend,” said Edwards, adding: “It’s not a serious one, but the knock was a little bit more painful than we thought, so we’ve had to be a little bit more conservative with it, we’ll see how it is for the weekend.
“We’ve been delighted with him since he’s come in, he was just getting himself up to Championship match speed again and shows loads of qualities, but we’ll get him back with us really, really quickly and out there on the pitch and I’m sure he’ll be a big, big asset for us in the coming weeks.”
Defender Potts hasn’t been seen since the 2-2 FA Cup draw at home to League Two Grimsby, having come off on 75 minutes. He’s missed the four games since but will travel to Preston.
Edwards said: “Potts has done well the last couple of days, he’s pushed hard and he’s been brilliant, he’s trained the last couple of days, so he’ll travel with us.
“You want Pottsy fit and available anyway, regardless of who is struggling, or who’s got knocks, but he’s a leader for us, an important person in the dressing room anyway, so we’re stronger when he’s available.”
New goalkeeper Walton, who signed from Barnsley last month, could also be in contention for tomorrow night, after an injury and the birth of his first child.
Edwards said: “Jack’s getting there, we’d like to congratulate him as well as him and his partner have had a baby over the last few days, which is some lovely news.
“So, he’s timed his injury quite well as he’s been able to have a few days with the family and that always comes first. It’s a special time for them with their first child, but he’s looking quite good and maybe pushing for the weekend.”
And while midfielder Freeman won’t be in contention for the Preston clash, he is now back training after a groin operation.
Edwards said: “Frees is doing really, really well, progressing very well, he’s been out on the grass now. He’s still working on his own with the S&T team but progressing really well.
“He feels really good and it looks as if a bit of a weight has been lifted off his shoulders as he’s been feeling that groin area for a long, long time and think he just feels, we’ve got to the bottom of it, so he’s in a good place, but again, no pressure on time with him, it’s still a few weeks I think.
“It’s not a nice thing when you’re feeling stuff and you think, this is going to be the norm forever now. I think it’s a real weight off.
“He seems very happy now that at the moment, it looks like we’ve got to the bottom of it, the medical team have done really, really good work and the surgeon’s done great and hopefully now he can really kick on and again be another big asset for us in the closing stages of the season.”
