Calculating Hatters boss Richard Money believes he is getting close to his desired squad.

On-loan Peterborough United target man Liam Hatch is on the road to recovery having had a second operation on his troublesome ankle injury on Wednesday.

But that hasn't stopped Town's new managing from formulating plans to raid the loan market before Thursday's deadline.

Speaking after Luton's 2-0 FA Cup victory over Rochdale on Wednesday, he said: "On the evidence of the two games we have a pretty good squad. We are not there, I don't have everything I want, but let's see if we can get it before next Thursday."

And on Hatch's operation, he continued: "It's successful I think. The surge was very happy with the result. Hopefully we'll get him back as soon as possible, but it probably won't be until the New Year."

Money was also pleased to be in the next round of the cup after Saturday's "gamble" of a team selection had ended up paying dividends.

He continued: "Saturday's team was a gamble. I wanted to see two or three play that hadn't been involved and go with Adam Newton and Claude Gnakpa wide to give us a little bit of thrust.

"I wasn't unhappy with what I saw on Saturday. I was obviously disappointed to lose a three goal lead. Tonight was a thoroughly professional and disciplined performance."

And having weathered a first half Rochdale storm where the hosts dominated possession, Money felt his side were worthy of victory after producing a "classic" away day show.

He added: "We expected them to start that way and knew we would have to dig in for the first 15 to 20 minutes.

"I thought we grew into it the longer the first half went on and in the end I thought we were the better team.

"Today we had to play with a lot of discipline and scored with two counter attacks but it was a classic away performance. I think we deserved to go through."