Naismith 'integral' to Luton - Bloomfield

Luton Town boss Matt Bloomfield said January loan signing Kal Naismith is "integral" to the side as they attempt to avoid relegation from the Championship.

The 33-year-old first joined the Hatters in January 2021 before moving to Bristol City in May 2022, but he returned to Kenilworth Road until the end of this season.

Naismith has made three starts at the centre of a back three, and helped Luton keep their first clean sheet in eight games - and first win in 13 - in the 1-0 win over Portsmouth last Saturday.

Luton, who are 22nd and five points from safety, make the trip to promotion-chasing Burnley on Saturday (15:00 GMT) for their first of three games in seven days.

"I try and make the right choices as I see fit," Bloomfield told BBC Three Counties Radio when asked if Naismith could feature in every game this week.

"It's the only way to do it. Kal is integral to us. He's a huge player, a huge character.

"He's been incredible since he's come through the door and if he can play 90 minutes of all three, then great.

"And if he can't, then we will make the right decisions along the way."

The Clarets have conceded one goal in their past13 games and are unbeaten in 17 at Turf Moor this season - a record which Bloomfield described as "excellent".

"But I'm also a big believer that you have to play the game in front of you," he added.

"We have to attack the game and believe that we can win it. We do. We know it's going to be a tough game but we will be attacking it and believing in what we're trying to do."