After last week’s defeat to Birmingham City, a result the Hatters will look to put behind them quickly, the gaffer could have captain Sonny Bradley and summer signing Reece Burke to call upon in defence.
But the wait will continue for Jordan Clark’s return, following his injury against West Brom as Jones said: “Clark is the only one [missing] really, the concussion and the impact was such a violent one and I mean that not from an intentional point of view, but it is the only way to describe it. There was some trauma there in terms of pain from impact so that will take a little bit of time. The concussion is fine, it is in and around the shoulder area where he really took both knees.”
Switching to positive news swiftly after though, the gaffer revealed that his defensive options could be bolstered, saying: “We are a lot closer on all of them, they have all trained this week. Sonny is back, Reece Burke is back, Lockyer has had an extra week so we’re in a better place.”
Following loss against the Blues last weekend, Nathan Jones is hoping to see big improvements from his side, who have had a week on the training ground in preparation for the match at Kenilworth Road.
“We have to bounce back, we can panic, worry and fear but that is not us. We don’t often have real adverse results, that was one last week and it came at the end of a big week with two away games. We had one similar to that at Swansea, Leeds, and then against Reading.
“It can happen in the Championship and there is enough quality in the Championship to punish you when you are not at it, and we weren’t at it. Credit to Birmingham but we have to bounce back. We have a week now to work and plan and get back on it but we have to make sure we bounce back.”
Looking ahead to new week’s Deadline Day, the manager revealed that there may be movement at Kenilworth Road if the right player becomes available.
“Without giving away too many secrets, we know we are slightly lighter in midfielder, Berry has been injured but we made calculated decisions with Morrell, Tunni was slightly different. We know we have lost a number of midfield players but what we want to do is bring in someone who is either different or going to be a starter. I don’t want to bring a number in because we have enough numbers that can cope.
“We have purposely kept a position there so if someone becomes available, we are able to act on it. That is what we have done. Without being totally disrespectful, we might not be able to afford something in the beginning of June/July, but that might change come 5pm on Tuesday.”
