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Luton Town vs Burnley - Match Preview

Last updated : 30 October 2006 By Peter Bulkeley
Team News
Sol Davis
Davis: Having scans in hospital
Luton Town - More injury problems stalk Luton ahead of the tough match against Burnley. The most serious problem for the Town is Sol Davis. Sol suffered a stroke on the way to the Ipswich match, and whilst all Luton staff, players and fans are more concerned with the health of the player, it also means that we only have two defenders fully fit and available for selection. Marcus Heikkinen and Russell Perrett are still recovering from an illness, and despite Perrett briefly making an appearance from the bench in the defeat at Ipswich Town, it is unlikely he will feature. Heikkinen will be given until the last moment to show whether he will be fit. This means that Keane will keep his position in central defence and Edwards will probably drop back into the full back position. One thing that Keane has shown us in the last two games is that he can't defend, so Burnley may well score a few goals on Tuesday night with our defence - even Feeney could score with Keith Keane in defence, maybe even Peter Thompson. Lewis Emanuel is unlikely to play at left back as he has a knee problem, Paul Underwood is still out as are Chris Coyne and Sam Parkin. It may not be a bad idea for Newell to try and bring in a defender on loan, otherwise a few goals conceded may be on the cards.

Predicted Team - Beresford (GK), Edwards (DL), Foley (DR), Keane (DC), Barnett (DC), Morgan (ML), Brkovic (MR), Robinson (MC), Bell (MC), Vine (SC), Feeney (SC)















Burnley - At this stage, it appears that Burnley have nothing like the injury problems that Luton have. Wayne Thomas and John McGreal are both likely to miss out as both have knee injuries, but other than that Burnley have a full strength squad. The Clarets go into Tuesday night's game in very good form, without a defeat in five matches and unbeaten away from home so far this season. Their last match on Friday night saw them beat local rivals Preston North End 3-2, meaning that they are on much better form than Luton and have had two days extra rest to Luton, so the signs don't look that good. Last year's match at Kenilworth Road was a complete disaster, with Burnley going 2-0 up in the first half and then having their keeper sent off. They then put an outfield player in goal but still managed to win 3-2 against us. Although Feeney did score in that game, which probably won't happen this time around.

Prediction - All of the signs ahead of this match are not good. We have let in 9 goals in two games albeit four against a Premiership team, and we only have two defenders, and one of those injured seriously ill in hospital. Not that I'm making excuses already, but I can't see us getting anything. A 2-3 defeat like last season, except without a keeper getting sent off.