Town chief not ruling out further signings

The Luton boss signed York City midfielder Jonathan Smith on Monday, but admitted bolstering his defence might still remain an option.

When asked if Smith was the final part of the jigsaw, Buckle said: “I don’t know, we’ve got to keep clean sheets. When the boy (James James McQuilkin’s cuts in, we’ve got to block that.

“The players know that, because everyone who seems to hit one and we don’t block it, it seems to fly in. We want to keep clean sheets, but at the same time I don’t want to take too much away from the players and be unrealistic with things.”

Striker Jon Shaw and goalkeeper Mark Tyler both missed out yet again in midweek, although Tyler was named on the bench, while Alex Lawless made a welcome return after his injury in the recent clash at Cambridge United.

On the trio, Buckle continued: “Mark’s back fit but probably only had one day’s training. I’ve no problem with Dean playing, as it gives him (Tyler) time to get over the back situation.

“I don’t think you can blame Brilly for the goal. Certainly Mark’s back now and hopefully he can have a run of day’s training.

“Lawless is back as well, while Jon Shaw never made it as the thigh was too sore.”

One player who did stand out for Buckle was full back Lathaniel Rowe-Turner, who had one of his best displays in a Luton shirt, overlapping Stuart Fleetwood on the left flank at every opportunity.

Buckle added: “I was delighted with the way Rowe-Turner got forward. He needs to add that to his game and he’s done that.

“I’ve known the boy a long time. It’s the second time I’ve worked with him and said to him before the game, it’s up to him.

“You can be safe and sit back as we knows he’s a great defender, and you won’t see a better full back in the league for defending.

“What he does have to add to his game is going forward. He can do it, you saw it, he’s got bags of pace and I was thrilled with that, it was a big plus for me.”

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