Hatters almost at full strength for Lambs trip

Town boss John Still is hopeful of having virtually a clean bill of health for Saturday’s trip to Tamworth, writes Mark Wood.
Mark Cullen was in impressive form for Town's development side in midweekMark Cullen was in impressive form for Town's development side in midweek
Mark Cullen was in impressive form for Town's development side in midweek

The Hatters have a number of minor knocks, with Andre Gray having struggled with a calf injury at the weekend despite hitting a hat-trick against Hyde, while Luke Guttridge was forced off near the end.

Still said: “Luke just felt himself tightening up a little bit, but hopefully it’s not too bad.”

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The boss also revealed defender Danny Fitzsimons is still some way off training, while target man Jon Shaw has had a slight setback in his recovery from a hernia operation.

Mark Cullen was in impressive form for Town's development side in midweekMark Cullen was in impressive form for Town's development side in midweek
Mark Cullen was in impressive form for Town's development side in midweek

He said: “Fitzsimons we need to put to one side, because that’s a while yet.

“Jon was making good progress and, like you do when you’ve had an operation, just overstretched on something, but nothing terrible. Jon won’t be available to play in these (development) games for another week or two.

“I think most other people, just knocks and twinges.”

A number of players impressed in Tuesday’s 2-1 development win over Tamworth, particularly defender Anthony Charles, striker Mark Cullen and winger Shaun Whalley, with the latter two both scoring.

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Still continued: “All of the development games we’ve had have been very good.

“I think most of the people that we know have got ability have done well in the games.

“Anyone that’s played and would think of themselves as a first team players have certainly done themselves no harm.

“The lads that aren’t quite in the first team at the moment doesn’t make them inferior players, and I think we saw that.”

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Still hailed his senior players who took part too, saying: “The lads that have played in the first team and are not in at the moment, Mark Cullen, Shaun Whalley, Jim Stevenson, Matt Robinson, Anthony Charles, their performances I thought were first class.”

Hatters might well come up against a player they were reportedly interested in signing during the summer as Tamworth skipper Duane Courtney revealed he turned down a move to Kenilworth Road.

The Lambs skipper said: “It was flattering that Luton were interested in signing me.

“They are a huge club. I see them as a League club really.

“But I decided to stay at Tamworth and have no regrets.

“I guess there’s an extra incentive to do well this weekend though, but I think all the lads will be up for it.

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“We should all love playing in games like this. There will be a big away following which adds to the atmosphere.”

Town have sold over 900 tickets for their trip to The Lamb, which is all-ticket for Luton fans.

To see a video from Luton’s 2-1 win over Northampton on Tuesday, click the link above.

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