Luton v Blackburn preview

Luton's 'bare bones' squad take on Blackburn Rovers in the 4th Round of the FA Cup, after their weird own goal victory over QPR on Tuesday.

Interestingly, Luton are one of Blackburn's bogey teams. The clubs have met twice in the FA Cup with both matches going to the Town, and thirty-six times in the league with 13 Luton victories 12 Draws and 11 wins for the Ewood club.

However, Blackburn have failed to win at Luton in all 21 attempts (including FA Cup)so perhaps the fates might lead us to have some belief that Luton are in with a chance of some sort of result.

Mike Newell on www.lutontown.co.uk:

'We are down to the bare bones. It's difficult for us but you just never know with the FA Cup.

'If it's your day then somebody steps up to the plate and fills in and makes a name for himself.'

Mark Hughes on Blackburn's official website said:

'It won't be easy, it is a fixture against a lower league team and you have to guard against making the headlines for the wrong reasons,' said the Rovers boss.

'The Watford game will be the perfect preparation for this game because we were disappointed with the level that we reached against them. People will say that this is a similar fixture for us so we have to guard against coming unstuck again.

'I would suggest that we won't, as we are looking to bounce back very quickly.'

Luton are still contending with a long injury list which was added to by Bailey's horror tackle on Brkovic on Tuesday. Newell said he is most unlikely to feature although there is no bone damage.

Luton will add new signings Matty Spring and Drew Talbot to the squad, and wait until the last minute to see if Beresford is fit enough to play after a back strain.

Can be the driving force in midfield that we have lacked at times.

Ryan Nelsen could return after a long absence with a bad hamstring tear, and new signings Stephen Warnock, who featured as a substitute in last seasons epic battle against Liverpool, and Christopher Samba, will also be in the squad.

Blackburn have injury problems of their own aand missing will be Robbie Savage (broken leg), Tugay (hamstring),David Dunn (long term absentee not yet fit), and Andre Ooijer (broken leg). Benni McCarthy could be rested.

Hughes will select from:

Friedel, Emerton, Khizanishvili, Henchoz, McEveley, Gallagher, Bentley, Mokoena, Pedersen, Nonda, McCarthy, Enckelman, Derbyshire, Peter, Nolan, Nelsen, Warnock, Jeffers, Samba, Gray, Todd.

In good scoring form and will fancy his chances against Luton's limited defence.

Link: http://www.soccerbase.com/head2.sd?team2id=308&team1id=1628

Steve Bennett - let's hope that he doesn't feel obliged to favour the team from the Premiership where he plies his trade!

The premiership big guns should have too much for Luton's depleted squad. Luton 0-4 Blackburn

Tuesday 30 January 2007 at the Ricoh Arena: Coventry City v Luton Town 7-45 pm

Saturday 3 February 2007 at the Walker Stadium: Leicester City v Luton Town 3 pm

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