Alfie Doughty, Tahith Chong and Reece Burke were all forced off in Saturday’s 2-1 defeat to Tottenham and Edwards says a couple of those are “very doubtful” for the trip to the Emirates Stadium.

The Hatters trained later on Tuesday afternoon to assess the fitness of the trio with the manager confirming that no other player on the Town’s treatment table will be available for the clash with the Gunners.

“We’re likely to have 11, 12 or 13 players out,” smiled Edwards through gritted teeth at his Tuesday press conference.

“We’ll probably have four teenagers on the bench – maybe more.

“This is the biggest challenge we’ve ever had. Of course we had the incident with Locks, but in terms of facing the best teams in the world in this period of injuries, it is.

“But we’re competing and it’s a challenge. It’ll be a big challenge – and Saturday will be as well. We know it is a massive task, we’re aware of the size of it.

“Arsenal are in great form and we’re going to have to defend really well.

“But depleted as we are, it’s hard for us to be at our best when we’re missing so many players.”