PREVIEW: Luton look to continue Newport’s struggle

Much had been expected from the Exiles after they ended last year’s debut Conference season in ninth place, but the departure of manager Dean Holdsworth to Aldershot in January started a downward spiral.

After leading the club to the Conference South title by a massive 28 points the previous season, Holdsworth’s departure saw Spurs coach Anthony Hudson appointed.

Although Hudson oversaw the Welsh side to a top-10 finish, a poor start to the current campaign with just one win in 12 games saw the American leave in September, with former Rushden & Diamonds boss Justin Edinburgh charged with keeping County in the division.

It’s been a mixed start for Edinburgh too as he opened up with a 3-0 home defeat to the in-form Southport, but then oversaw a stunning 4-1 triumph at title chasers Fleetwood Town.

The indifferent performances have continued as the Exiles lost at home to Tamworth and Ebbsfleet, triumphed over Kettering and went out of the FA Cup to Shrewsbury Town.

Last weekend, a 2-0 lead at Grimsby was frittered away by a controversial penalty decision in the closing stages, leaving County three points from safety.

No players came in during the closing of the loan deadline yesterday, with the only recent transfer activity, former Wales international David Pipe extending his contract until the end of the season.

Meanwhile, Cardiff striker Nat Jarvis, who has scored four times since joining the club on loan, is keen to extending his temporary stay at the club

Team news: Hatters willdefinitely be without leading scorer Amari Morgan-Smith for a second week with a hamstring/back injury.

Midfielder Keith Keane is also a doubt as is Tommy Wright, but the likes of Dan Gleeson, Shane Blackett played in the reserves this week. Winger Charlie Henry and defender Will Antwi both left the club on Thursay though, joining Aldershot and Grimsby in loan deals.

In charge: Justin Edinburgh – left back who began life at Southend United before moving to Tottenham Hotspur where he played over 200 games.

Wound down his career at Portsmouth and then became player manager at Billericay Town from 2003-2006.

Took over as Fisher Athletic boss before spending a year in charge of Grays Athletic and was then at the helm of crisis club Rushden for two years.

Led Diamonds into the play-offs in his first season, but they were kncoked out by Oxford United and left when the club were expelled from the Conference last season and was appointed Newport boss in October.

View from the opposition: Wayne Hatswell, player coach: “We just have to look forward to Saturday, they are all big games coming up now and it will be a tough test.

“We can’t afford to lose on Saturday and then the Tuesday game turns into a real six-pointer.

“We’ve got to build on what was a positive result at Grimsby and keep that momentum going ahead of Hayes & Yeading.

“If we can get four points out of these two games then it will be a great couple of days for us.”

Friendly faces: Hatters winger Charlie Henry signed for Town from Newport County last season, after scoring at Kenilworth Road for the Exiles back in November.

He won’t get a chance to line up against his former side though after joining Aldershot on loan in the week.

One to watch: Danny Rose – Tricky winger who recently captained England C in their friendly clash at Gibraltar.

The 23-year-old, who started his career at Manchester United, before moving to Oxford United, has been in supreme form this season, scoring 10 league goals in a side who have struggled badly.

Many expect him to leave once the transfer window opens though as he has been training with Championship side Crystal Palace recently.

Top scorers: Exiles - Danny Rose (10). Hatters - Amari Morgan-Smith (9).

Last time out: Luton were pegged back in the final seconds of the clash at Spytty Park last season, as it had looked like they would take three points with Robbie Willmott’s 18th minute goal.

But Town conceded a penalty with time running out and Jamie Collins finished to earn the hosts a draw.

Hatters: Mark Tyler, Dan Gleeson (Luke Graham 46), Freddie Murray, George Pilkington, Zdenek Kroca, Claude Gnakpa, Keith Keane, Robbie Willmott, Paul Carden, Jason Walker (Jake Howells 58), Lloyd Owusu.

Attendance: 2,834.

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