Hatters hoping to finally keep Blues striker Jutkiewicz off the scoresheet

Luton boss Nathan Jones hopes Town can finally prevent Birmingham striker Lukas Jutkiewicz from finding the net for a fourth game in a row against the Hatters this afternoon.

The 31-year-old has been particularly prolific against the Hatters since they returned to the Championship, scoring from the spot in a 1-1 draw at Kenilworth Road back in November.

Jutkiewicz also netted in both matches last term as Blues won 2-1 each time, although the former Everton and Middlesbrough frontman has struggled for form this year, with just two goals from 27 appearances.

He was dropped to the bench last weekend, with boss Aitor Karanka bringing in Aberdeen forward Sam Cosgrove on transfer deadline day, as Jones said: “Hopefully we can buck that trend.

"He’s probably more renowned for scoring at the back stick because he actually did score against me at Stoke doing that.

“We’ve got to make sure that our threats are paramount and if our threats are to the fore and, if they are, then we’ve shown that we’re a decent side.

“We go there in good form, without the points to show that.”

The Blues have been in an awful run themselves recently, with just one win in their last 11 league matches and are without a home victory since October 28, taking just two points from a possible 30 at St Andrew's.

That has seen Karanka's side drop to second bottom in the table, but after impressing in the 3-2 defeat at Bournemouth last week, Jones added: "We don’t know if they’re going to turn up like they did on Saturday, so all we can do, we like to concentrate on Luton Town and if Luton Town turn up and show the performance levels we had then our results will start to turn a little bit.

"The last four games we’ve won one, drawn one, lost two and at no point should we have lost both of those games.

"On the weekend (against Huddersfield) we should have won, definitely should have got something out of Blackburn, should have got something out of Brentford, but can’t keep saying should have.

"What we have to do now is turn performances, as there’s a real good level of performance there, into points, and that’s the most important thing, as we’re getting into a real, real important stage of the season.”