Luton boss Rob Edwards admitted it was a huge blow to learn he will be without Arsenal loanee Albert Sambi Lokonga for a sustained period of time after he suffered a hamstring injury during Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Wolverhampton Wanderers. The 23-year-old was Town’s big signing on transfer deadline day earlier this month, penning a season-long loan from the Gunners, who had paid around £15m for him back in July 2021.
Lokonga, who started alongside Marvelous Nakamba in the 1-0 defeat at Fulham and kept his place against Wolves, was expected to play a key role for Luton Town this season, particularly away from home in the Premier League, with Edwards looking to use his preferred double pivot formation to allow the Hatters to soak up pressure.
“Sambi made a real positive start to his life at Luton Town, two real good performances so it’s a real shame for him first and foremost as he wanted to come and perform, play games,” Edwards said after Town’s 1-0 Carabao Cup exit at Exeter last night.He was going to get the opportunity to do it with us, and it’s a shame that we’ll be missing him for a while. “It could be a while, we’ll have to see.”We’re disappointed for him since he had a tremendous start and is a fantastic player.
“It’s a difficult one, but it happens; it’s a part of life and football.”
“It gives someone else an opportunity and they’re going to have to step in so that’s what will happen.”
Edwards also confirmed that skipper Tom Lockyer was absent from the trip to St James Park, saying, “With us missing Sambi, we couldn’t really take a risk on Marv, that’s why he wasn’t involved.”
“Locks had a scan today because he was feeling something.”
“He shouldn’t be too bad, we’re missing a couple of important players too in the squad, although I’m not saying they would have started the game anyway.”
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