Sometimes injuries can come at the most inopportune of moments.

Back in the summer, the Hatters decided to bring the Iraqi striker, Ali Al-Hamadi, to Kenilworth Road, from Ipswich Town.

Unfortunately, the striker arrived at Kenilworth Road with an injury and wasn't deemed fit enough to make his Luton Town debut until the FA Cup tie against Forest Green Rovers, coming on as a substitute for a cameo appearance.

A second appearance, in similar circumstances, followed against Stockport County, before the international break brought an abrupt halt to his Hatters career.

Called up by Iraq, Al-Hamadi scored in the World Cup Qualifier against the United Arab Emirates, although he was withdrawn at half-time in a game that ended 1-1.

However, it appears that Ali-Hamedi will not be available for the second leg with the Iraqi authorities reporting:

"Medical tests have confirmed that our national team player Ali Al-Hamadi suffered a front muscle injury during yesterday's match against the UAE, which was the first leg of the Asian play-off qualifying for the 2026 World Cup. Therefore, national team coach Graham Arnold has decided to call up Ammar Mohsen to replace him in the team for the second leg against the UAE on Tuesday."

It remains to be seen just what the precise nature of the injury is and for how long the striker will be side-lined for.

I guess that will be determined when he returns and is examined by the Hatters medical department.