Buckle looking for an Amari fear factor

TOWN boss Paul Buckle is hoping that the return to fitness of striker Amari Morgan-Smith will strike fear into Monday’s opponents Wrexham, writes Mike Simmonds.

The 23-year-old came back from three mouths out to make the substitutes bench on Thursday, before taking to the field to a rousing ovation for the last few minutes as Luton ran out 2-0 winners.

When asked if Morgan-Smith’s availability could provide a fear factor for the Welsh side, and whoever Town play in the play-off final at Wembley, should they reach it, Buckle said: “I think it will. His goal record shows that. He’s a strong lad, very, very aggressive.

“That’s the sort of player I like. Him, (Stuart) Fleetwood, (Andre) Gray’s very aggressive and it’s a dangerous combination when you’ve got that aggression with skill and pace.

“Amari certainly gives us that. He’s played another hour in a practice match, so hopefully he’ll come through unscathed and it adds to the competition.

“He’s a big player for us. We’ll work him hard and see if we can get his fitness levels up ready for Monday.

“I would have thought all the opposition would fear a team with him in it.”

The return of Morgan-Smith, who has 10 goals from 20 appearances so far this season, will also act as a reminder to the likes of Thursday goalscorers Stuart Fleetwood and Andre Gray, to maintain their excellent form in front of goal.

Buckle added: “The performance of Fleetwood and Gray was fantastic both with and without the ball. With Amari coming back in there, players are not silly. They look over their shoulders all the time and that is what I’m trying to create.

“I’m trying to create a healthy situation where there’s real competition and with Morgan-Smith sitting on the bench they’ve got some serious competition now.

“So everybody’s standards are high and they’ll be kept even higher by competition and Amari will add to that.”

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