Three midfielders set for Cambridge return...to the bench at least
The Hatters could have returning trio Pelly Ruddock Mpanzu, Alex Lawless and Luke Guttridge on the bench for Saturday’s League 2 clash with Cambridge United.
The duo have been limited to just 23 starts between them this season and not played together since the 1-0 home defeat to Plymouth in September.
Town boss John Still revealed at his Thursday press conference that the three are unlikely to start but may be named among the substitutes for the U’s visit.
And the manager believes their return to fitness is a major plus as the Hatters go into the final three months of the campaign.
“It’s a massive boost,” he said. “We’ve done unbelievably without them, but they’re not just three good players, they’re three influential players and the influential part of their game is really important.
“They are all available for selection. The chances of them all playing are nil, the chances of them all being involved, that’s a lot higher, but it’s important that now they’re back, we do it properly.
“We’ve managed without them for this long and if we are sensible enough about it, we’ll get fully fit, flourishing, energetic players back because they’re not going to be tired.”
Meanwhile, the manager said that striker Paul Benson, who broke his leg during the 3-0 win over Mansfield on 29th November, could be back in training next week.
“Paul’s coming on terrific,” said Still. “There was a bit of inflammation in his foot which you get when you have an injury like that, so he had an injection in that.
“I would think he’ll be back in training Monday and I don’t think he’ll be too far away with joining in with the group as well, so that’s another positive.”
Striker Ricky Miller is a doubt for Saturday with a toe injury while Curtley Williams remains unavailable with a shoulder problem.
Watch more from the boss' press call on YouTube and Hatters Player.