Luton Town Football Club

Hatters boss Nathan Jones says his dugout reshuffle will remain in place following Saturday’s Sky Bet League Two victory over Crawley at Kenilworth Road.

The day before the game, Jones asked that the home and away dugouts be switched – so the Town management and substitutes are now situated on the bench closest to the Kenilworth Road Stand.

That was the end of the ground that Danny Hylton’s two goals went in as Jones’ boys overturned a one-goal deficit to win 2-1 and claim a big three points in the push for promotion to League One.

Speaking at his Press call at Ely Way this afternoon ahead of the Hatters’ home game with Hartlepool United tomorrow night, the Welshman said: “It was done not for anything other than a little bit more focus, because the linesman was running up and down and I was spending as much time avoiding him as I was watching the game. 

“It takes that out and gives someone else the problem. That’s why we did it. It’s a sensible thing to do really. Nothing to change any form or superstition; nothing to do with that. It was just a logistical thing.

“But it does help being closer to the fans and you really get a sense of the atmosphere. I thought they were magnificent, especially around that 70-minute mark where we were really, really going for it and eventually we won the game.”

Looking ahead to the Valentine’s Day visit from the Monkey Hangers, Jones revealed that midfielder Jordan Cook – who was carried off on a stretcher after suffering a worrying looking neck injury that resulted in him being taken to hospital for an X-ray – could be fit to play.

“He was like Lazarus, seeing him after the game,” said Jones. “The way he was carried off and strapped in, we were worried about him. It was a kind of whiplash injury, so it’s just taking it day by day because it’s just muscle spasm, so if we can loosen those off, he’s good to go.

“From being carried off and looking like the bionic man, he was walking around after the game! Then he was in today, so we’ve kept him relatively light. We won’t take any risks with him, but these ginger ones – they recover quickly!”

Another player who will be available for selection again after serving his four-match suspension is centre-half Johnny Mullins, and Jones added: “We hope that’s the end of our suspensions really because we’ve had too many this year. 

“It hasn’t affected us massively because of the squad we’ve got, but it’s important we have a full squad back and it gives us good competition, but also good options.”

The Town are looking for a third successive home win after the Checkatrade Trophy quarter-final win over Yeovil and Saturday’s maximum return against Crawley, so get down to the Kenny for the 7.45pm kick-off and roar Nathan and the boys onto another big win!