Town are getting set to make history this weekend we make our first ever appearance in the third round of the FA Cup.
Jack Diamond's dramatic late winner at Portsmouth a month ago earned a famous win in the competition with the reward being a trip to Kenilworth Road to face Championship side Luton Town.Our opponents
The Hatters currently sit in 16th place in the Championship with 29 points from 22 games. The 2021/22 season is their third consecutive one at this level, securing a top-half finish last season after a dramatic last day escape from relegation in 2019/20.
On home turf they have taken 16 points so far this season, being defeated on only three occasions.
Like many sides of late, Luton have been inactive over the festive period, with their last outing almost a month ago when they earned a creditable 1-1 draw at home to promotion chasing Fulham.
The man in charge
Nathan Jones is in the dugout for Luton, with the Welshman now in his second spell in charge at the club.
Jones made almost 500 appearances in a playing across for a number of clubs, most notably Southend, Brighton and Yeovil before joining Brighton as an assistant coach.
He landed the Luton job in early 2016, guiding the club into the playoffs in his first full season. In 2017/18 he then led to them automatic promotion with a second-place finish. Jones continued the momentum the following season, with the Hatters in second place in January 2019 when he accepted the Stoke City job, before being re-appointed at the end of the 2019/20 season.
It was also recently announced that Jones had signed a contract extension through to the end of the 2026/27 season.
Ones to watch
Leading the goal charts this season is former Walsall man Elijah Adebayo, who faced Town in our debut season in the EFL and has netted 10 times so far since arriving in the summer.
He is closely followed by forward Harry Cornick, with seven goals as well as two assists.
Scot Kal Naismith has impressed in defence this season since arriving from Wigan, as has former Town man Sonny Bradley, who has made over 100 appearances for the club.
Both Pelly Ruddock-Mpanzu and Amari'I Bell have logged significant minutes in midfield so far this season.
The Hatters though will be without Admiral Muskwe, who is away on AFCON duty with Zimbabwe.
History
Having defeated former winners Portsmouth in the last round, Town find themselves up against former runners-up in Luton this time around, the Hatters losing out to Nottingham Forest in the 1958/59 final.
Bob Morton is the club's record appearance maker, with 562 to his name, while six players - Gordon Turner, Andy Rennie, Brian Stein, Ernie Simms, Herbert Moody and Steve Howard, have scored more than 100 goals for the club.
Team news
Simon Weaver was boosted by the return to the starting line-up of Rory McArdle in Tuesday's victory over Carlisle United and he will be available for selection, along with George Thomson who returns from suspension.
Both Ryan Fallowfield and Warren Burrell are hopeful of a return having not played since December 21st at Tranmere, though Alex Pattison remains a doubt.
Loanees Josh Austerfield and Brahima Diarra are eligible and in contention after impressing on debut, however Mark Beck is cup tied having featured in the competition for York City.
Aaron Martin and Simon Power remain on the sidelines through injury, while Will Smith faces a late fitness test to be included.