UPDATED: Hatters receive injury boost with the news Gray and Henry should be fit to face Braintree

Hatters have been given a boost with the news that most of their stars that missed Saturday’s FA Cup first round defeat at Welling should be fit for tomorrow night’s (Tuesday) league game at Braintree, writes Mark Wood.
Luton Town v West Ham United. Photos by Liam Smith. wk 45.Luton Town v West Ham United. Photos by Liam Smith. wk 45.
Luton Town v West Ham United. Photos by Liam Smith. wk 45.

Star striker Andre Gray and skipper Ronnie Henry were both missing through injury at the weekend, but should be fit to face the Iron.

Town picked up no new problems in the 2-1 defeat at the Wings, with fit-again midfielder Alex Lawless coming through unscathed as a second half sub, while winger Shaun Whalley and experienced defender Anthony Charles also look likely to be available.

Boss John Still is hoping returning target man Jon Shaw will start training at the end of the week, but injury-plagued striker Alex Wall is still sidelined.

On how they’d come through the Welling game, Still said: “Not too bad. We will have a look tomorrow but we’ve got most people travelling.

“Most people have trained today, whether or not that makes them ready for tomorrow we’ll wait till tomorrow and see if there’s any reaction.

“But to be fair more positive than I thought it might be.”

Skipper Henry had had a ‘jab’ in the week leading up to the game, but failed to figure, as Still continued: “Experienced player. But he’s trained today, so we’ll wait and see.”

Joint top scorer Gray, with six goals this season, is also in contention and trained, as Still said: “Yes he has. I think it’s how they react to the training session today.

“To be fair they’ve not been out long enough to be affected by their general fitness, it’s just how their injuries react to today’s training.”

There was also a promising outlook on midfield duo Lawless and Whalley who are also available to Still against the Iron.

“We’ve had Alex Lawless back in full training for a little while now. He hasn’t played a game, but we’ve really pushed him hard in training,” he said.

“Shaun Whalley’s trained, he’s not been out long enough for his fitness to be affected, so hopefully he’ll be available tomorrow.”

And target man Shaw is also making progress after suffering a couple of niggles following his hernia operation.

Still added: “I think he’ll start training at the end of this week. I think he’ll start training Thursday and if his luck holds out he might be able to train again Friday! But we’ll have to see, but hopefully at the end of this week.”

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