Crow ruled out as Town look to put the record straight against Southport

Crow is likely to be out for about a month and manager Gary Brabin also has concerns over one or two others ahead of the visit of the Sandygrounders.

The Luton chief was coy over who was struggling, but Freddie Murray has been fighting a pulled hamstring in recent weeks while Dan Gleeson has been carrying a knee knock.

Brabin said: “Obviously Danny Crow is definitely ruled out.

“Then we don’t want to give too much away.

“I’m still a little bit conscious of one or two who we have to monitor.

“We will give it another 24 hours until we make a decision.”

Brabin admitted he was disappointed not to seal a first victory as boss as Kettering notched a last-minute leveller in Tuesday night’s 2-2 draw.

That followed Saturday’s 3-3 stalemate at Kidderminster where the Harriers levelled in injury time.

The Town boss said: “I would be lying if I said I wasn’t frustrated.

“Not just for myself for personal reasons, the lads themselves deserved the win for the performance and for the fans - again it was a fantastic atmosphere.

“I thought we had won the game but it wasn’t to be.”

But he is targeting victory tomorrow, saying: “For me it’s the next step, to get a good three points.

“If we can keep playing football like we have in the last three games I’m more than confident it will come and give everyone a boost in confidence.

“There’s a real air of confidence about the place at the moment and certainly players are coming to the forefront at the moment which will be important.

“As long as the lads are enjoying their football it doesn’t matter where we play, giving 100 per cent with a smile in on their faces.”

Town turned in easily the worst performance of their season when they lost 2-1 at Southport a couple of weeks ago, and Brabin admitted some of the players might be looking to make amends for that showing.

He said: “It will be a tough one. Southport will be on a bit of a high from the last time they played us two weeks ago.

“But I think it’s a game the leads will really relish.

“We’ve probably given them a big lift. They beat us convincingly a couple of weeks ago and they will be confident coming here that they can do it again and they are in a relegation battle and need the points for different reasons.

“I don’t think there’s any getting away from the fact it was a real poor performance, we were really disappointed.

“We were all really, really disappointed. Maybe in one or two heads there’s that (revenge). But mainly I just want the lads enjoying their football and winning games.

“I’m expecting another tough challenge but if we are right we are expecting another three points.

“The sooner we can cement our play-off place the easier it becomes to rest one or two.”

Southport’s midfield diamond proved particularly troublesome for Luton on the day, but Brabin is looking for the Hatters to concentrate on themselves and let Southport worry about them.

He said: “If we are playing to our potential I’m sure their diamond is more concerned about us.

“We have got to be aware of their strengths. That’s par for the course.

“First and foremost we’ve got to concentrate on ourselves.

“From an attacking point of view we are going in the right direction.

“We have got some quality defensive players at the club and they’ve probably been left more exposed than they have in recent months, but I’m more than confident they can meet the challenge head on.”

And despite Southport’s struggles Brabin is looking to put one over on his old friend, Sandygrounders chief Liam Watson.

Brabin said: “He is a friend of mine Liam.

“Obviously I would love them after Saturday’s defeat to Luton to go on and win consecutive games.

“First and foremost it’s important we get back to winning ways.

“They’ve got some quality players and I know most of the lads there.

“Young lads who have been released from Everton and Liverpool.

“The one thing Southport have got it a terrific team spirit and pull in the right direction for each other. It will be a tough test.”

And he was also wary about John-Paul Kissock, who was given a free role in the last meeting and was the game’s standout player.

Brabin continued: “I know JP really well. I coached him at Everton.

“He was a young prospect and he is a friend.

“He is someone I like and someone we have to be wary of, but we have some good players too.”

Despite not yet tasting victory with the Hatters, Brabin is sure they’re heading in the right direction, especially offensively following the departure of former boss Richard Money.

Brabin added: “We both wanted to play football. There’s different ways of playing football, I’ve got my beliefs and he has his and we had some good debates.

“And now it’s my turn to put forward what I think is right.

“At times it might look a little bit gung-ho. I want to get the attacking part of our play more positive.”