Hatters boss Rob Edwards has confirmed that midfielder Shandon Baptiste will be available for tomorrow’s trip to Sheffield United, but attacking duo Carlton Morris and Tahith Chong remain absent.
The summer signing had made four appearances for Luton after joining on a free transfer in the summer following his departure from Brentford, before missing all of September with a hamstring injury. However he is now okay to return for the game against the unbeaten Blades, but Morris, who scored at Bramall Lane when Luton 1-0 back in March 2023, hasn’t recovered, along with Chong, following his blow to the head in the 3-1 loss at Plymouth a week ago.
With Liam Walsh suspended following his red card in midweek, Town are also without Amari’i Bell and Daiki Hashioka, as asked about the fitness of the squad, Edawrds said: “It’s all right, obviously Walshy’s not available because of the suspension and there won’t be anyone else coming in other than Shandon to the squad. It’s too soon unfortunately for Carlton and Chongy’s not passed a test from the external neurologist, so unfortunately he won’t be available.
Midfielder Tom Krauß is also okay despite having to come off in the early stages of the second half of the 2-2 draw with Oxford on Tuesday night, as Edwards continued: “Tom’s all right. He was shattered bless him, he’d done a massive shift on the Friday, first full game, we had to get him off at that stage, but he’s all right though.
“He won the ball back for Clicker (Jordan Clark) and that was a great example of us stopping a counter attack, our positioning was great for the goal and Clicker’s chance he had earlier in the game. There were a couple where we were just a bit too keen and committed too many people forward as well, but he’s new and he’s learning it and that was a great example.”
Meanwhile, striker Jacob Brown is also okay having shown no reactions to his first start in over nine months against the U’s, the Scottish international setting up Krauß for his first goal for the club. His return to the starting XI will be closely monitored, with Edwards adding: “There’s a few, Browny, Marv (Marvelous Nakamba), Victor (Moses) that we’re having to think about and manage.
“Browny’s certainly one as he’s been a long period of time out and that was his first start for a long time. The thing then that comes into my mind is he was really effective, he did great, and with Browny, you know you’re going to get such a high shift all the time. He’ll press three people in one action almost, so lots to think about with him but we do have to manage him and we will have to for a period of time going forward.”
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