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Luton boss Edwards hopes Barkley gets positive Everton reception

Luton boss Rob Edwards hopes Ross Barkley gets a positive reception today at Everton.

Barkley could see action in today's FA Cup tie at his old club.

Edwards said: “If he's selected, it's a big one for him, he's looking forward to it. I don't know (what reception he will get), we were laughing about it today. I'm not sure, I think everyone realises how good a player he is, there's a lot of water under the bridge and time has passed since then.

"I hope he gets a good one, but Ross will be able to deal with whatever comes his way. He's in a good place at the moment, he's enjoying his football and long may that continue. He's really looking forward to it, it's his club, it is his club, so he's looking forward to it."

On Barkley's role, the manager continued: “It works for us, the dynamic of our football and how we were looking to try and play. He was able to take the ball a little bit deeper and allow us to build and have a little bit more control, so it felt natural.

"He's making it his own if you like, because we're not holding him back and stopping him from getting forward. He's got a couple of goals and I know he'll get more. Against Burnley he had a few good shots from the edge of the box and a few good opportunities as well, so we don't want to rein that in, we want to continue to let him go and do that as well, as that's a big part of his game.

"So he is playing deeper in the build up, but when we get there, it's not holding back, it's go on, try and make something happen as well."

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