Town assistant not too worried as ex-Arsenal starlet forced off at Bees

Luton assistant boss Chris Powell didn’t think that the injury suffered by trialist Harrison Dudziak was anything too serious after he was forced off in the latter stages of Saturday’s 2-2 draw at League Two side Barnet.

The 20-year-old, who is currently training with the Hatters after being released by Premier League champions Arsenal in the summer, came on at the interval as with the scores 1-1, Town swapping almost their entire 11 for the second half of the contest at the Hive, only young centre half Christian Chigozie remaining on the field from those who started.

Deployed in an attacking role once more, it was Dudziak’s left-wing corner that saw the visitors move 2-1 in front on 72 minutes, bundled home by Jayden Luker at the far post, to cap an impressive display from the Hatters academy graduate. Dudziak, who had an impressive loan stint at National League outfit Braintree Town last season, also named on the bench by the Gunners in the Champions League against Sporting Lisbon, then had to go off in the final 10 minutes after making a block tackle, replaced by Harry Fox for his second stint of the afternoon.

Powell wasn’t expecting it to be anything serious, saying: “You saw the block, it was just a slight jar on his ankle. Hopefully it’s nothing too bad, but just a precaution. Don’t fight through it, we’re not fighting for points today, it’s about getting fit and getting yourself in contention. We’ll see what happens with Harrison, he’s obviously here just training with us at the moment.”

Having headed out to Spain with Luton for their training camp in Murcia this week, where they will also take on Saudi Pro League side Al-Kholood in another friendly, Dudziak will be joined by on-loan Newcastle United full back Harrison Ashby and centre half Mads Andersen, who both missed the contest at the Bees, having featured in the 5-0 win over near neighbours Hitchin Town previously. Powell added: “They both picked up knocks in training, just precautions really. Hopefully they’ll be fine, they’re both travelling, so that’s good, but hopefully it’s not too long until we see them both back.”