Before the Hammers game, the center half was fully trained.
Despite being replaced at halftime in the Carabao Cup triumph over Gillingham on Tuesday night, Luton manager Rob Edwards anticipates that center-back Tom Lockyer will be healthy for tonight’s Premier League match at Kenilworth Road against West Ham United.
The 28-year-old started the second-round match against the Gills, which Town went on to win 3-2, even though he was only supposed to play for about an hour.
He didn’t come out, though, and Reece Burke came on in his stead. Edwards later explained that this was because the center back was stiff.
Although Lockyer has been in training in preparation for the Hammers’ arrival this evening, the Hatters’ manager confirmed yesterday that he is right despite it being a little earlier than anticipated.
He is someone who is obviously very, very important to us, but at the same time, we are not ready to risk him if the consequences are too dire.
“So, today he’s out on the grass, and I’m expecting him to be involved in the game as he’s a warrior, so from that point of view, there shouldn’t be any change.”
Lockyer has been brought back into the Wales squad for their matches against Latvia and Korea Republic this month due to his performance this season and last, which earned him a spot in the PFA Championship’s Team of the Season.
Having said that, Edwards continued, “It’s amazing and well deserved. He will now be trying to get his first cap in more than two years for Rob Page’s team.
“I have my own opinions about him and where he might fit in the hierarchy, but that is not at all my decision.
“I’m really pleased for him to get back in the mix because of what he did for us last year and how high and consistent his performance levels were.”
Lockyer underwent heart surgery after collapsing on the field during the opening moments of the play-off final against Coventry City, and his recovery from that procedure has been nothing short of amazing.
“After the final, all thoughts were just on his health and that was it,” said Edwards, “and he had always believed that once he had the full all-clear to return to Kenilworth Road, he would be able to attain his previous heights and gain further international recognition.”
“But after a short while, we realized he would be healthy and okay, so I reasoned that once he recovered his fitness and resumed training, he should be back in the Wales team where he belonged.
Even if it was extremely unsettling at the time, we had already experienced it.
“He’s back, he’s playing Premier League football, and he deserves to be in the Wales squad.”
