Luton Town's Albert Sambi Lokonga to miss "couple of months" with hamstring injury

By Carter White | 28 September 2023

Luton Town midfielder Albert Sambi Lokonga is expecting to be sidelined for a "couple of months" after picking up a hamstring injury against Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Luton Town are prepared to be without midfielder Albert Sambi Lokonga for a "couple of months" due to the player picking up a hamstring injury.

The 23-year-old is spending the 2023-24 campaign on loan from Arsenal, where he has struggled considerably for game time since moving from Belgium.

Lokonga secured a switch to the Emirates Stadium from Belgian Pro League outfit Anderlecht in the summer of 2021 for around £17m, however he failed to cement a spot in their starting side despite many rave reviews from former professionals.

The one-time international featured 19 times for the Gunners in the 2021-22 campaign, however he was limited to just six appearances for Mikel Arteta's men last season before being moving to Crystal Palace on loan for the second half of the term.

Having now transferred to Kenilworth Road in an attempt to reignite his career, Lokonga has revealed that he is set for a period on the sidelines due to a hamstring strain.

Arsenal's Albert Lokonga during the warm up before the match on August 13, 2021 © Reuters

"I thought it was my time to enjoy playing this beautiful game called football and work hard helping my teammates to reach our goal as a team," Lokonga said on his Instagram account.

"Unfortunately, an injury came to delay everything. I will be focused on my recovery and support the team during that time. See you in a couple of months. God is good all the time."

The 23-year-old picked up the injury during Luton's 1-1 draw against Wolverhampton Wanderers last weekend, with the Hatters earning their first-ever Premier League points by forcing Gary O'Neil's men to a share of the spoils.

Lokonga was substituted after just 57 minutes of the contest at Kenilworth Road, with club legend Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu entering the hosts' engine room alongside former Aston Villa man Marvelous Nakamba.

The Hatters were not able to go back-to-back matches unbeaten, however, after losing 1-0 at Exeter City in the third round of the EFL Cup on Tuesday, and head coach Edwards expressed his disappointment as his Arsenal loanee faces a spell on the sidelines.

Luton Town manager Rob Edwards before the match on April 7, 2023 © Reuters

"Sambi made a real positive start to his life at Luton Town, two real good performances so it is a real shame for him first and foremost as he wanted to come and perform, play games," Edwards told the media after his side's cup defeat at St James Park.

"He was going to have the opportunity to do that with us and it is a real shame to be missing him now for a period of time. It could be a while, we will have to see.

"It is a tough one but it happens, it is part of life, part of football. It gives someone else an opportunity and they are going to have to step in so that is what will happen."

Luton will be looking to record their maiden Premier League maximum as they face Sean Dyche's Everton on Saturday afternoon, with the Hatters sitting 18th in the table, two points adrift of safety.