Town are Shaw to be wary of Tynesiders

The 27-year-old striker has netted 13 times for the Tynesiders this season after Luton failed to land their man despite two bids for him earlier in the season.

Brabin admitted: “It was well documented we approached them. It wasn’t to be.

“I can understand why, he has had a fantastic start to the season, he is a Gateshead player and we move on.”

But he is wary of the threat posed by The Heed throughout their side as they currently sit second in the table, two points off the top and three ahead of the Hatters.

Brabin continued: “They are a good footballing side and showed hints of that last year. It’s a difficult place to go up to Gateshead.

“They’ve done well and try and play football in the right way and thoroughly deserve to be up there.

“They are a dangerous side and have had some good results this season and try and play football in the right way.

“We expect another tough game but have nothing to fear.”

The Gateshead game marks the start of a difficult and important string of fixtures for the Hatters that will see them also hosts promotion rivals Wrexham and Fleetwood Town, while travelling to Grimsby and Cambridge United.

Town’s manager continued: “We just try and focus on the next game, although you always have the next three on the list.

“We throw all out attentions into the next game.

“We’ve got to concentrate on ourselves and get ourselves right.

“We aren’t looking too much into tables (albeit Luton are top of the home form table).

“We are looking at the next game, Gateshead, and getting our big players back on to the pitch and doing things right on Saturday.

“The league isn’t won and lost after 15 games and it’s still very tight up there.

“It’s a tough couple of game and they are the games we thrive in.”

And he’s hoping that Luton’s fit-again and returning players will help to give them the consistency they need in order to challenge for the title.

Brabin added: “We know what we want to do and how we set out.

“We want to win every game. It’s important we get all our big players back and get them match fit.

“It would be nice to pick a consistent team. We need consistency. I’m confident we will get stronger and stronger and get that consistency.”