Hatters waiting to hear if Lockyer appeal is successful ahead of Chelsea cup clash

Defender should find out today whether he can face Blues on Sunday
Tom Lockyer is shown red by referee Stephen Martin against BrentfordTom Lockyer is shown red by referee Stephen Martin against Brentford
Tom Lockyer is shown red by referee Stephen Martin against Brentford

Luton boss Nathan Jones is hoping to find out later today whether the club have been successful in appealing defender Tom Lockyer’s red card picked up against Brentford on Wednesday night.

The centre half was dismissed during stoppage time of Hatters' 1-0 defeat after an off the ball incident with striker Ivan Toney, who was also given his marching order for a second yellow.

Jones declared afterwards it was ‘categorically not a red card,' meaning Town are now looking to get the decision overturned, although the chief admitted it has hampered the club’s preparation for the game, saying: “We’ve appealed the sending off, so hopefully that will come back and then go from there.

“Slightly, it does (disrupt us), it means that we have to put in contingency plans today with our prep work, but we should know by today.

“So my main prep will be tomorrow due to the fact that we played on Wednesday, it will slightly hinder us, but hopefully not too much.”

The decision was one of a few to infuriate Jones on the night, with the only goal coming after Harry Cornick was pulled back when starting a quick attack, with official Martin playing on, but then not returning to book the Brentford player, the hosts taking full advantage to counter themselves and score.

He added: "If I’m honest, lets not talk about the standard as I think every manager’s talking about it at the minute.

"He’s pulling him back which delays the counter attack, yes he doesn’t stop the counter attack but he delays it.

"So by the time he actually plays to Pelly (Mpanzu), they’ve got two or three back, so it’s a yellow card, it’s a categorical yellow card.

"I don’t know, some of the decisions they make and some of the things they see, you’re baffled at times, really baffled, but it’s very difficult to comment on it as I’d get fined."