Hatters’ defender Tom Lockyer acknowledged the significant injury crisis that has plagued the squad at Kenilworth Road this season, describing it as “demoralizing” at times. However, he commended manager Rob Edwards for his handling of the situation.
Throughout the campaign, the Hatters have endured unfortunate luck with player availability, rarely having a full squad at their disposal. Several key players, including Marvelous Nakamba, Jacob Brown, Amari’s Bell, and Dan Potts, are sidelined for the remainder of the season due to knee and hamstring issues. Additionally, Lockyer himself is unavailable as he continues his recovery from an on-field cardiac arrest suffered against AFC Bournemouth in December.
Elijah Adebayo, Sambi Loona, Joe Johnson, Gabe Osho, and Mads Andersen have also been absent due to various injuries, with Alfie Doughty and Pelly Ruddock Manzo forced off in their last fixture against Nottingham Forest.
Lockyer mentioned that while the international break might provide some respite and a chance for injured players to recover, the team has still been significantly depleted, with seven starters now ruled out for the season. Despite the challenges, Lockyer praised Edwards for his resilience and refusal to use injuries as an excuse, noting that the team is rallying together and working harder.
Edwards himself has consistently refrained from blaming injury problems for the team’s struggles to climb out of the relegation zone. He acknowledged the difficulty of fielding a full-strength team but emphasized the determination and effort shown by the players who took the field.
Looking ahead, Edwards doesn’t anticipate a significant increase in available players for their upcoming match against the Spurs, as many remain sidelined with long-term injuries. Nonetheless, he remains hopeful for a positive outcome and additional reinforcements to aid the team.
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