UPDATED: Influential Hatters midfielders Mpanzu and Lawless could be fit for Tamworth clash

Influential midfielders Pelly Ruddock Mpanzu and Alex Lawless could both be available if Saturday’s scheduled game against Tamworth goes ahead, writes Mark Wood.
Luton Town v Kidderminster Harriers. Photos by Liam Smith. wk 01.Luton Town v Kidderminster Harriers. Photos by Liam Smith. wk 01.
Luton Town v Kidderminster Harriers. Photos by Liam Smith. wk 01.

Recent West Ham United acquisition Mpanzu had been struggling with a knock, but is back in training, while Lawless may also be available after an eye infection, although he is still suffering some blurred vision.

On the injury situation, boss John Still said: “To be fair I think we’re OK. Pelly came in having just got over a knock as you know.

“He didn’t train last week but trained this week. Whether or not he’d be OK for Saturday or not, I’m not sure.

“We’ll have another look, we’ve got a couple more days and if the game goes ahead we’ll have to revisit that and have a look.

“He’s probably the only player that we’ve got that might be a doubt.

“Alex Lawless who’s had this problem with his eye we’re not 100 per cent sure if he’ll get the go ahead to play this week, but he’s days away really.

“He’s got a little bit of blurred vision and we’ve got to let that settle down. But outside of that we’re very lucky.”

On-loan Crystal Palace centre-half Ryan Inniss has been suffering from illness, but should be fit, with Alex Lacey and Fraser Franks both waiting in the wings having played 90 minutes in the 2-0 Bedfordshire Senior Cup victory at Leighton Town on Tuesday night.

“Ryan Inniss has been off a couple of days with a little bit of illness, I don’t think that’s anything that’s major,” said Still.

“Even with that we’ve got Fraser Franks, who got the game in the other day, and Alex Lacey’s on his way back so we’re reasonably well covered.

Reserve keeper Elliot Justham also dislocated his shoulder in that game, but Still is confident he should be fit to feature on the bench as he has virtually a clean bill of health for his side ahead of the weekend.

“Out and in, so he’s all right. I think he’s a bit of baby!” joked Still.

“If he was fighting for his country in a war he’d have to get up and fight, so he’s going to have to get up and do his bit.

“I would hope he would be available.”

A number of Town’s senior players got useful minutes in the county cup victory over Leighton, including the likes of Jon Shaw, Anthony Charles and Jernade Meade, and Still was pleased with the reports he’d had from his staff.

He said: “The report from Hak (Hakan Hayrettin), Geoff Wood, Dave Richardson in atrocious conditions the boys played the conditions very well after the first 20 minutes.

“It was game time really for lots of players that really needed it and listening to what the lads said I was really, really pleased at their professionalism.

“It was good for them to get 90 minutes.”

Only the likes of Andy Parry, after his hernia operation, and long-term injured duo Jonathan Smith and Danny Fitzsimons remain on the sidelines.

Still also revealed that Smith is now walking without the need for crutches.

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