Hatters striker expects to miss Stockport clash with hamstring strain

Hatters striker Nahki Wells expects to miss tomorrow’s League One home clash against Stockport County after suffering a slight hamstring strain during the 2-1 victory at Wycombe Wanderers last weekend.

The 35-year-old forward had to go off in the closing stages at Adams Park just under seven days ago, with Devante Cole replacing him, as the January signing from Port Vale then started Tuesday night’s 3-2 victory over Exeter City in his place, registering a first shot on target on his ninth appearance during the second period.

Wells believes the problem will now keep him out of featuring on Saturday too, although with Town’s trip to Rotherham United the following weekend postponed, he should be okay to face Peterborough United on Good Friday, as speaking to the Royal Gazette about his chances of featuring, he said: “It’s just a slight hamstring strain and probably a week-long injury, so I potentially will miss Saturday’s game against Stockport and then we’ll see what the back end of this week looks like.

"Obviously it’s a big, important one for us, so I want to be available, but I have to try and get it right because I don’t want to get it wrong and then miss the tail end of the season with so many important fixtures to come for us. With the heavy fixture load playing every four days for the last ten weeks or so, it’s inevitable to pick up a strain, and I am just grateful that it’s something minor and not significantly worse.”

Asked about his absence from Tuesday night’s success against the Grecians and whether he thought it was a serious injury for the striker, who has scored seven goals in 35 matches since his summer move to Kenilworth Road, Hatters boss Jack Wilshere himself had said in his post match press conference in midweek: “No, bad enough to keep him out of tonight, but hopefully it won’t be too long.”

Wells was also discussing his own international future with Bermuda, who saw Michael Findlay leave his position as national coach recently. Having won 30 caps, scoring 20 goals, his last three outings while with the Hatters, the former Bradford and Huddersfield forward hasn’t called time on representing his country just yet though, as he continued: “It’s important to keep that open and I definitely think I still can perform and be one of our most influential players

“Every dog has its day, but for now I still feel like I have a lot to give. I don’t want to close that chapter as of yet and if I can give anything back to the country in any capacity from a playing perspective then I will do. I can assure you that I will definitely represent my country again. How many times only time will tell, but that still means a lot to me and maybe when I do decide that day, I can try and make it as memorable as possible. Those are things you think about as you get older, but there’s still so much football to play so we will see.”

Despite stating his determination to carry on playing for his country, Wells wouldn’t have been looking to be included in the friendly against Democratic Republic of Congo in Mexico on Wednesday, taken by technical development director Maurice Lowe, even if he wasn’t injured, adding: “I didn’t have any intentions of playing as it’s just a friendly and with how much football I have played lately, the body just needs to rest. It’s just a friendly and not a huge significance, so it gives me more time to be home with the family, which has been tough with our fixture load and how much travelling I have to do.”