Fitness doubts over Heed’s key men ahead of Cup clash
GATESHEAD are sweating on the fitness of captain Neill Byrne and schemer Luke Hannant for Sunday’s FA Cup showdown with Luton Town.
The Heed are already without experienced midfield man Russell Penn for the clash with the League Two leaders on Tyneside.
Manager Steve Watson can ill-afford to be without Hannant’s energy in the engine room or Byrne’s leadership qualities.
Hannant, player of the month in the first two months of the campaign, missed Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Solihull Moors.
Byrne has missed just one game this season following a summer move from Macclesfield Town, Hannant in his second season at Gateshead.
After being a bit part player last season, the 24-year-old East Anglian has been a key performer in the current campaign.
Watson told the Chronicle: “Hannant has had a recurrence of a back injury that kept him out earlier in the season.
“He has done very well and brings a lot to the side, so we are obviously hoping a period of rest will do the trick.
“Byrne was taken off early in the second half at Solihull as a precaution as he felt his hamstring.
“These things are difficult to assess but even with a slight strain you can be out for a couple of weeks.
“Hopefully that won’t be the case. Both players have been left out of training this week and we’ll have a look at them on Thursday.”
Watson has options, particularly at the back, but will hope he’s not without three key players against a Luton side beaten only once in their last 17 games.
The Hatters are the highest scorers in the top five divisions of English football. Sunday’s FA Cup secondround tie kicks off at the
earlier time of 2pm.