Hatters defender Lockyer expected to be fit for Rams clash

Centre half Tom Lockyer should be fit for the Luton's home Championship clash against Derby County this weekend.

The 25-year-old went off in the closing stages of Town’s 1-0 Carabao Cup win at Reading on Tuesday night, with what manager Nathan Jones confirmed was just cramp.

It means the defender, who joined on a free transfer from Charlton Athletic in the summer, is now in line for his league debut for the Hatters, after not being included for the 1-0 win at Barnsley last weekend.

Jones said: “Ironically, he’s probably played more 90s than anyone else, because he had two with Wales the other day, but it’s different levels of intensity with international football and we understand that.

“He just went off as a precaution as we’ve got games coming up and we pride ourselves on our availability rate, so we take no chances.”

Lockyer gave an impressive account of himself at the Madejski Stadium, helping Luton to a first win there since August 21, 1999, thanks to Jordan Clark’s first half goal.

It was only when viewing the game again did Jones notice just how polished a performance it was though, the Town chief adding: “I thought he was excellent, quite understated, nothing you could say ‘wow, he did that,’ but I think he was better when I watched the video back than on the night.

“On the night he just seemed to go unnoticed, but he was excellent, filled gaps, won his headers, defended really well.

“He was a steadying influence, but you expect that, he’s an international defender, so we expect him to be at a good level.

“He’s a great lad, so we’re very pleased with where everyone is.”