Luton Town and Stockport County take a break from battling for a League One play-off place, as the two Hatters lock horns in the EFL Trophy Final on Sunday.
Stockport have a top-six place in their grasp, while Luton have won four of their last five matches to revitalise their push for an immediate return to the Championship.
The Bedfordshire outfit are hoping to have Nahki Wells available for selection after injury curtailed his involvement at AFC Wimbledon on Monday afternoon.
Speaking to The Royal Gazette, the 20-goal Bermuda international revealed his hopes for Sunday’s showpiece event at Wembley.
“I’m confident of being fit. I’ll be given a go on Friday with the intention of being fit. I felt my groin [against AFC Wimbledon] so I couldn’t continue.”
Just 17 minutes were on the clock when Wells, who scored in the semi-final triumph over Northampton Town, made way for Ali Al Hamadi. The 35-year-old missed the league meeting with Stockport last month through a hamstring issue, only making his return to the Hatters side over the Easter period.
Luton’s progression in the competition has caused plenty of controversy after Jack Wilshere’s outfit were reinstated in the competition. Swindon Town, who had fielded two ineligible players when they beat the Hatters in January, were removed, paving the way for Luton’s return and eventual progression to the final.
What’s The News From The Stockport Camp?
It’s fair to say Louie Barry’s return to Stockport hasn’t gone his way so far. Joining the Hatters for his third loan spell on transfer deadline day in February, it was well-known that he wouldn’t feature until the run-in. Supporters got their first glimpse of their returning hero at the end of March during an open training session at Edgeley Park.
He wasn’t quite up to speed to feature in the Good Friday victory over Wycombe Wanderers, but Barry was included in the matchday squad for Monday’s clash at promotion rivals Bolton Wanderers. Introduced to the action just after Bolton equalised, he was cautioned in the final moments of normal time. But he didn’t heed that warning and picked up a second yellow card in stoppage time.
That rules him out of their clash against AFC Wimbledon, the second time the side have met in three weeks, next Wednesday evening. However, the Aston Villa loanee will be available for Sunday’s showdown under the arch, though he is likely to be a substitute due to a lack of minutes. Fellow winter arrival Josh Dacres-Cogley is ineligible to face Luton, having played in the Vertu Trophy knockout stages for his former club Bolton earlier in the season.
On the injury front, Brad Hills is a long-term absentee, while Arttu Hoskonen has been ruled out for the season following a nightmare campaign in Cheshire. Dave Challinor will be hoping to have Tanto Olaofe fit after the striker missed Monday’s game against the Dons. After struggling infront of goal following his return to Stockport in the winter window, he got off the mark on Good Friday before his afternoon was cut short.
Like this:
Loading…
Related
