Shaw still out while Buckle anticipates further changes for Trophy

Striker Jon Shaw remains the main injury doubt for Luton Town ahead of their FA Trophy trip to Blue Square South side Dorchester Town on Saturday, writes Mike Simmonds.

Hatters boss Paul Buckle admitted he was more than likely to be without the former Gateshead forward yet again, while hinted he may be forced into a couple more changes after a bruising battle with Mansfield Town on Sunday.

He said: “Jon probably won’t make it. We might give him a few more days, but we’ve picked up a couple of knocks too.

“The Mansfield game took a lot out of the team, there was lots of physical challenges. It was a real aerial battle and a fight up there

“I’m never going to relay everything. There’s always likely to be a couple of bumps after the game at Mansfield as it was really tough.”

Top scorer Stuart Fleetwood might have to make do with a place amongst the substitutes once more after recovering from injury, as the partnership of Andre Gray and Scott Rendell continues to flourish with both players scoring doubles recently.

Buckle continued: “I’ve spoken to Stuart because it’s strange when you’ve got your top scorer on the bench, but Gray and Rendell have formed a very good partnership.

“There’s competition for places but it’s healthy competition and I think for someone like Stuart if you start him on the bench, he’s liable to come on and do damage as well as he does when he starts.

“It’s a nice position for us to be in. It’s good for a manager to manage that situation as all the strikers can see the bigger picture.

“Stuart’s found himself out of the team on the back of being injured. Gray and Rendell have done well, Stuart understands that.

“He’s a good pro, a top professional, a team player and clever enough to know that in these games he’s got every chance of getting on.

“He’s arguably the best finisher in the division, those things put together, makes the bench very strong.”

Buckle believes that changing Gray into a more central position will not only help the ex-Hinckley man, who starred in the Trophy against Town last season, but will bring out the best of the midfielders at the club.

He added: “Gray played on the right for us, he’s been the creator and made a lot of goals which has been an important part of our game.

“Moving him inside one has been really positive for him as he’s scored a couple of goals and it allows (Alex) Lawless and Howellsy (Jake Howells) to play in wide areas, JJ (O’Donnell) and Dancey (James Dance) too, who’s looking better every game.

“They’ve got to become the creators. It’s a real positive Andre moving inside and forces the other boys to step on and make things happen.”

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