Morgan-Smith returns to training

HATTERS striker Amari Morgan-Smith is back in training once more and may well feature before the end of the season, writes Mike Simmonds.

The 10-goal forward hasn’t featured since the 0-0 draw against Mansfield on January 25, but joined in with the squad today and is making slow but steady progress with his hamstring injury.

Caretaker boss Alan Neilson who will lead the team at Braintree Town tomorrow before handing over to new manager Paul Buckle, said: “Amari did some jogging in the warm-up. He did some passing, some transfer work, then did some work with the physios.

“So it’s a bit of a step up and he’ll do a little bit more next week. We’re taking it day by day, but he’s on the mend.

“I’m not going to say he’s ready for this week or the week after, we’ll take it day by day with him.

“I wouldn’t say he’s long-term, the term is getting shorter, but we said that last time and he had a little setback, so fingers crossed he will play again this season.”

There was also good news for the remainder of the Hatters’ injured players as Neilson continued: “Dean Beckwith played 45 minutes the week before in the reserves and played 90 minutes on Wednesday.

“He came through it and is looking good, so he’s pushing to get back into the squad.

“Ed (Asafu-Adjaye) has trained, while Glees (Dan Gleeson), has done a little bit of running, so fingers crossed he’ll be back towards the end of the season.”

Hatters fielded a strong side for their 1-0 reserve team defeat against Southend on Wednesday afternoon and Neilson felt it was a worthwhile exercise, especially after their match with Gateshead was postponed after the squad had already travelled up to Darlington the night before.

He said: “I was absolutely gutted as we’d travelled up there in the morning and I got a call at quarter past three to say that the game was off.

“It wasn’t ideal, so we travelled back to Luton and came in the next day. There was a reserve game on Wednesday, so half the lads played in the reserves, half trained, had a really hard session to get all the rubbish out of their legs.

“Stuart Fleetwood played 90 minutes, Macca (Craig McAllister) played 90 minutes, John Paul Kissock, Adam Watkins played 75.

“We’re getting the lads fit so if and when they’re needed, they can go and do a job for us.”

Full back Greg Taylor has been ruled out of the Easter programme though, but Neilson is hopeful he will play a part in any potential play-off campaign.

He added: “Greg has had an operation now, so he’s on his way back. I’m not sure of the timescale on it, hopefully he can play in the back end of the season and the play-offs and final, hopefully.”

Midfielder Andre Boucaud can also now try and stake a claim for a starting slot after a stopstart Hatters career thus far, being cup-tied in the FA Trophy and unable to play against York due to the terms of his transfer.

Neilson added: “It’s been hard for him. The Trophy games, he couldn’t play in them, and then against York in the league.

“It’s a challenge for him to, if he’s selected, force his way into the team. He’s been training hard, working hard. Last week when the lads were away on the Saturday, he was in and training.”

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