Matt Bloomfield has provided an injury update on Kal Naismith after the Bristol City loanee missed Luton Town’s M1 derby defeat to Watford on Sunday afternoon.
Naismith departed Ashton Gate on loan during the January transfer window, returning to Kenilworth Road two-and-a-half years after he left the Hatters to link up with Nigel Pearson at Ashton Gate. The 33-year-old was one of three major temporary outgoings this winter as both Fally Mayulu and Rob Atkinson also completed loan moves away from the West Country joining Sturm Graz and Portsmouth respectively.
The versatile defender’s contract with the Robins is due to expire at the end of the season. Although it was Luton who instigated the move last month, Liam Manning has admitted that the switch will put the Scotsman in the best position to earn a new contract “wherever that may be”.
Having made two appearances off of the bench against Sheffield Wednesday and Sunderland, Naismith started back-to-back games against Sheffield United and Portsmouth. However, the 33-year-old was not included in the Hatters’ squad to face local rivals Watford on Sunday with Bloomfield confirming after the full-time whistle the defender had a “tight hamstring”.
“We’re five central defenders down at the minute which isn’t easy, but we believed in the team we put out and we wanted to go and win the game, absolutely,” the Hatters boss told Luton Today after the full-time whistle at Vicarage Road. “Kal and Mark were fantastic in the last two games and to miss them was obviously a blow.
“Kal had a tight hamstring, we hope he’ll be right for Portsmouth next Saturday, but unfortunately, he was unavailable for the game today. We lost Shandon (Baptiste) as well in the second half, Marv’s (Marvelous Nakamba) got a tight calf as well, coming off at halftime, so we’re nursing a few injuries.”
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Defeat to the Hornets on Sunday has left Luton sat bottom of the Championship table after 34 games. With just 12 matches left of the season, Bloomfield’s side are five points clear of Hull City and safety. The Tigers travel to Ashton Gate next weekend but the Robins have a trip to The Den to face Millwall to deal with before that game.
Luton are next in action this Saturday when they welcome Portsmouth to Kenilworth Road. Pompey have pulled away from the drop zone in recent weeks but the Hatters will be hoping Naismith is fit and ready to feature as time is running out for them to make a late charge for safety.