Town’s cavalry is on its way

THE cavalry finally seems to be on the way to aid depleted Luton’s Blue Square Bet Premier title challenge, writes Mark Wood.

Having suffered consecutive defeats to York City and Cambridge United, light has appeared on the horizon as a number of important first team players took part in a behind-closed doors friendly yesterday.

George Pilkington and Shane Blackett both got 45 minutes, Charlie Henry 55 and Collin Samuel 65 as a strong Hatters side lost 1-0 at Wycombe Wanderers, who netted seven minutes from time.

Speaking after Tuesday night’s 1-0 home defeat to the U’s, manager Gary Brabin said: “The group of players we’ve got are good enough to win football matches.

“We’ve got a behind-closed-doors friendly against Wycombe Wanderers where Kevin Pilkington, George Pilkington, Shane Blackett, Dean Beckwith, Curtis Osano, Aaron O’Connor, John Paul Kissock, Adam Watkins, Charlie Henry and Curtis Osano will all play.

“I think it’s obvious we’ve got some real big players out. If any other team were missing three of those players let alone eight or nine they would be struggling.

“We saw George Pilkington train yesterday which gave everyone a lift. He is a big player for us. At the moment we feel we are getting one back and losing two.

“We definitely need to try and get some more big players back on the pitch and we know we can only get better.”

After the run out, Brabin told the club’s website: “It was a fantastic workout and a good standard. Wycombe played last night as well and fielded a number of the players who were on their bench against Preston.

“We’re trying to get everyone match fit as there aren’t too many reserve team games this season.

“It was a really hot day but the quality of football was really good and obviously I was delighted to see so many of our players get some game-time under their belts.

“Our injury situation has been well documented and I’ve never used that as an excuse – all we want is to try and get over it and get everyone back fit.

“By the end we had a very young side on the pitch but it was an excellent workout for all involved.”

Versatile Hatter James Dance, who has had to fill in at right-back, welcomed the returning players but admitted it might not be so promising on a personal level.

He said: “It’s not so good for me as I will probably lose my place!

“As a club we would probably be better off. Curtis has been in training this week and isn’t far off.

“The gaffer will have a difficult selection to choose from rather than going with what he has got.

“Pilks has stepped up his training with us which is nice to see too.”

However, the likes of Dan Gleeson, Freddie Murray and Alex Lawless all look like missing another four weeks.

“Glees I think will be at least another month away and Alex Lawless at least a month and Freddie Murray at least a month,” Brabin said.

“I think he (Murray) has recovered from the initial one. It was a knee but now it’s another part of it.”

On Lawless, who has been fined by the club after breaking his hand at York when he punched a wall at half time, Brabin said: “He is getting a metal plate put in.”

Team-mate Dance added: “He is gutted. I think he has had it done this evening.

“Apparently he thought it was one of those plastic brick walls.

“It messed up his weekend as he was going to stay in York – instead it was the hospital.”

Hatters: K Pilkington, Osano, G Pilkington (Blackett), Beckwith (Carney), Carden, Kissock, Watkins, O’Connor (Dasilva), Henry (Tavernier), Samuel (Ann).