Hatters hope to spark against Diamonds

It will also be the first time Rushden & Diamonds have played since young keeper Dale Roberts tragically took his own life on December 14.

The Diamonds number one jersey has since been retired in memory of the 24-year-old.

Rushden also have former Hatters favourite Kevin Nicholls on their coaching staff along with ex-Town physio Harry Scott-Stackman.

And Money believes that all of these elements will come into the mix on an emotional day.

Luton manager Richard Money said: “I think they will have been desperate to get back on the pitch.

“Out of respect they called the game off against Eastbourne which was understandable and the right thing to do.

“It’s a terrible thing to happen at any football club.

“We had a terrible tragedy when a young player died when I was at Walsall and it effected the group for quite a bit.

“It will be very emotional tomorrow I’m sure.

“They’ve got a number of people working at their football club who have been here.

“It’s a local derby and I would think they will bring a thousand or so with them so who knows what the gate could be.

“I think it will be a really crackling atmosphere and it will be the same on the pitch.

“It’s a very important game because we’ve not had a league game since November 20.”

Luton have right-back Dan Gleeson fit again for the encounter, but are still without the injured quartet of Shane Blackett, Adam Newton, Charlie Henry and Freddie Murray.

They will also be without exciting young attacker Dan Walker who has joined Blue Square Bet Premier compatriots Eastbourne on loan and will make his debut against title rivals Crawley Town.

Money said: “We are going to let Dan Walker go to Eastbourne.

“He will join them tomorrow and will play against Crawley and it’s an opportunity for him to get seven or eight games under his belt.”

And he was delighted he was finally able to get his side back on grass after the recent inclement weather.

Money continued: “It’s nice to get back on grass and I suppose we are like a lot of clubs in that we weren’t able to get on grass until yesterday.

“It’s meant we’ve had a good week’s training and gone to Baldock Monday and Tuesday and played on the 3G surface which is a good surface.

“After the York game given the weather forecasts that were in front of us we decided to give them the whole week off.

“We obviously gave them programmes to work to at home.

“Rather than bring them in we gave them their gym work to do at home.

“The most unusual thing of all is to be able to spend some time with family at Christmas.

“I think the week we had off away from each other at Christmas will do everybody the world of good in the long run.

“Since they’ve come back we’ve rammed into them our philosophy of what we are about - how we attack, how we defend.

“Everybody has played a bit in December (in the four cup ties against Charlton and Welling) but it seems ages since we’ve had a league game.

“We’ve got a lot of players in good form and from what I’ve seen on the training pitch this week suggests they are still in good form.”

Diamonds have strengthened their side ahead of the clash with the signing of York City striker and former Luton target Michael Gash.

On Gash and the challenge of Rushden, Money said: “He has got an excellent record in this division. Justin Edinburgh has a really good record of bringing these types of player into his club.

“They lack a bit of consistency recently but they are certainly one of the dangerous teams in this division and like York I expect them to have a very good second half to the season.”

Diamonds also have ex-Luton striker Ryan Charles and former Bedford Town forward Rene Howe in their squad.

They are also hopeful of signing an unnamed midfielder in time for the encounter.

Edinburgh added: “Luton is a big test. It’s an opportunity and the players are looking forward to it.

“It’s a tough game to start after being so long out but it’s one of the title favourites and we’ll give a good account of ourselves - Luton will know they’ve been in a tough game.

“We did ever so well there last year and if we could mirror that again, that would be a fantastic achievement.”