Luton keeper has all-clear to return from broken finger

Shea gets good news after visiting specialist
Town keeper James Shea in action against Millwall on New Year's DayTown keeper James Shea in action against Millwall on New Year's Day
Town keeper James Shea in action against Millwall on New Year's Day

Town keeper James Shea has confirmed he is making good progress on the comeback trail from the broken finger which had threatened to end his season.

The 28-year-old picked up the injury in training just before the 3-1 defeat to Charlton Athletic in February, with boss Graeme Jones stating he would be out for a minimum of six weeks.

Shea, who has made 16 appearances for the Hatters this term, his last coming in the 3-1 defeat at Millwall on New Year’s Day, was asked about his recuperation by members of the club’s academy staff on Town’s official YouTube channel.

On how he is coming along, he said: “It’s hard at the minute to do any goalkeeping drills, as I’m still coming back from my hand injury which I did a few weeks ago.

“I went to see the specialist last week and he’s given me the all-clear.

“He said if I had training tomorrow I could do light handling, but as we’re not training, just take as long as you can to get your hand back to normal.”

Like the rest of his team-mate and country in general, Shea is under lockdown due to the coronavirus, meaning he can’t train with the Hatters squad at the Brache until further notice.

The former Arsenal and AFC Wimbledon stopper admitted it has been tough finding ways to stay fit while being at home, as he continued: “We get messages from James Redders (Redden, head of sports science) every day, giving us little things to do, just something to keep us ticking over.

“There’s only so much you can do, some boys have got fitness bikes at home, I haven’t got anything like that.

“But I’m lucky enough that I’ve got a neighbour who’s got a gym in his garage, he lets me use that any time I want, so I’ve used that as well.

“At the minute, it’s trying to keep yourself doing things around the house.

“I’ve got a little girl who keeps me very active.

“She always wants to do something, always wants to play football, or get the blow up swimming pool out, so, so far, it’s not been too bad.

“We’ve always had something to do, go out for a family walk, take the dog out for an hour and if I’m not doing that, I try to do a bit of exercise, go for a bike ride, or a jog.”

Shea admitted one of the toughest bits so far about having to stay at home is a lack of contact with the rest of the Town squad.

He said: “There’s a Whatsapp group, so the boys are talking in there, finding out how everyone’s getting on, but I miss the going in every single day, seeing the group, having a joke and a laugh with everyone.

“Of course you miss the match days, that’s what you train every day for, but it’s just being with everyone.

"You miss the day-to-day, you get into a routine and you miss that.”