PREVIEW: Hatters need to proceed with caution after Cheltenham’s stunning away run

The Robins didn’t make the greatest start to the campaign either, losing three of their first four league and cup games, but things have improved dramatically since then.

In fact, since a 4-1 defeat at AFC Wimbledon on September 17, Cheltenham have been in stunning form, winning 11 from 13 matches, including their last seven away encounters.

There have been some notable scalps on their travels too as the Robins have won at Oxford, Bradford, Accrington and Burton, while knocking League One Tranmere out of the FA Cup at Prenton Park to set up the trip to Kenilworth Road.

The best thing for manager Mark Yates is that there are no superstars in the squad either, as a look at the goals tally proves just that.

Darryl Duffy is leading the way with nine goals this season, but his team-mates are chipping in too as Kaid Mohamed, Josh Low, James Spencer and Jeff Goulding have all notched their fair share too.

The boss made some good signings in the summer too bringing in Sido Jombati from Bath City, who recently penned a longer deal at Whaddon Road, while Duffy also signed from Bristol Rovers.

Yates has been busy in the loan market recently, extending Everton youngster Luke Garbutt’s deal for another month, while Bristol City duo Bobby Reid and Marlon Jackson have also joined on monthly deals, although Kyle Haynes and Ethan Moore were recently released.

History is on Hatters side though as Town have never lost to their opponents on home soil with the three previous matches ending with Luton winning twice and drawing the other.

Team news: Hatters are still without leading scorer Amari Morgan-Smith, but Danny Crow and James Dance are both expected to be fit after they were substituted during Tuesday’s 1-1 draw with Telford

Cheltenham haven’t announced which of their on-loan players will be allowed to play in the competition by their parent clubs.

Jimmy Spencer, Luke Garbutt and Jack Butland all missed the first-round win at Tranmere, while Marlon Jackson and Bobby Reid have been added to the squad since then.

Midfielder Russ Penn is fit to play after struggling with a tight hamstring in the build-up to the Oxford match, where he also picked up a knock.

In charge: Mark Yates – a Cheltenham legend who began life at Birmingham City in 1988.

Had spells at Burnley, Lincoln and Doncaster before moving to Kidderminster Harriers where he played over 200 games, until joining Cheltenham and made well over 200 appearances for the Robins.

Went back to Kidderminster to begin his managerial career and won manager of the month twice, while also reaching the FA Trophy Final.

Took over at Whaddon Road in December 2009 and is closing in on two years in charge now.

View from the opposition: Mark Yates: “The players understand the size of Luton Town, I went on Tuesday and they had more than 5,000 for a league game,.

“They have won trophies recently, but for whatever reason they find themselves in the Conference.

“It’s a big club, and it will be a tough game, make no mistake about that.

“We have to have the right attitude and that will give us a better chance, but if we go there with the wrong attitude, there is a chance we’ll come unstuck.

“I have been part of a non-League team that’s beaten a League team and I don’t want to be on the receiving end.”

“The other night, Luton were well backed and well supported so our fans will want to get behind their players and we have to do what we do best.

“If we do that, hopefully our fans will have plenty to shout about.”

Friendly faces: Town striker Stuart Fleetwood enjoyed a one month loan spell with Cheltenham when a Charlton Athletic player back in 2008, making seven appearances and scoring twice for the club.

One to watch: Darryl Duffy – Experienced Scottish striker has made quite an impact since moving to Cheltenham in the summer.

Nine goals to his name already is showing the promise that the forward, who began his career with Rangers, has always possessed.

It was at Falkirk he caught the eye though, scoring 37 goals in 68 matches, which saw English clubs come calling as he moved from to Hull to Hartlepool and then joined Swansea for £200,000.

A £100,000 move to Bristol Rovers followed, before spells at Carlisle and Hibernian until his permanent switch to Cheltenham in July.

Top news: Hatters - Amari Morgan-Smith (9). Robins - Darryl Duff (9).

Last time out: Hatters were pegged back to a 1-1 draw the last time the sides met at Kenilworth Road on March 22, 2008..

After Sam Parkin had put the hosts, for whom only Keith Keane remains, in front on 24 minutes, Cheltenham hit back through Steven Gillespie’s 81st minute goal to nab a share of the spoils.

Hatters: Dean Brill, Chris Perry, Richard Jackson, Steve Davis (Calvin Andrew 85), Lewis Emanuel, Keith Keane, David Bell, Matthew Spring, Paul McVeigh (Steven O’Leary 82), Ryan Charles (Drew Talbot 69), Sam Parkin.

Attendance: 6,087.