Lacey out as Still considers loan trio

Town defender Alex Lacey will miss Hatters’ trip to Alfreton Town on Saturday, writes Mike Simmonds.
Alex LaceyAlex Lacey
Alex Lacey

The young centre-half has been hugely impressive so far this campaign but picked up a knock in the 3-0 win over Southport recently and hasn’t fully recovered.

Manager John Still now faces a choice whether to drop Andy Parry back alongside Steve McNulty or give one of his three loan signings, Pelly Ruddock Mpanzu, Joe Davis and Alfie Mawson a first league start.

Speaking to the press this afternoon, Still said: “Lacey won’t be fit, so we’ll be without him, while Andy Parry hasn’t trained today, but I don’t think that’s anything terrible.

“All three of them (loan signings) are under consideration though. We have a little bit of competition now which we haven’t had.

“We’ve only really had that competition when Charlo (Anthony Charles) has been fit, but he hasn’t been fit as often as we’d have liked, so we’ve got competition back now, which is important.”

Although Mpanzu made his debut for Town at centre-half, he was utilised in his favoured midfield role during midweek, turning in a starring role and Still admitted that was where he liked him most.

The boss continued: “I see him more of a midfield player myself.

“He can play both positions, but being a West Ham player and a Boreham Wood player originally, I know Pelly really well and he was always a person we had on our radar.

“His versatility is a plus, but we probably see him first in midfield as he has great energy and I love that.

“The energy he displays is a really good tool and I think the way we play, we play high energy, high tempo, so he fits nicely into that.”

Still also confirmed he wouldn’t be afraid to hand a debut to on-loan Brentford defender Mawson, despite the youngster missing both Staines matches as he was cup-tied.

He added: “People haven’t seen Alfie yet, but Alfie is what might be classed as a typical centre half and will be available for Saturday.

“It’s been tougher for him, but I like him. He’s a proper centre half and I would have no fears of including him.”

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