Cambridge United are at home for the seventh time in nine games tomorrow, this time in the FA Trophy against Luton Town, who visit for the second time this season. Don't forget it's an early kick-off at 12.30pm and the match is all-ticket so get yours by 5pm Friday.
The Hatters overcame a two goal deficit to win 4-3 here in September, while last month it was United's turn to do the same and take a point with a 2-2 draw. United are currently tenth in the league table with 33 points from 23 games while Luton are four points and three places above in seventh.
Our online betting partners bet365 can't separate the two teams, making both the U's and the Hatters 6/4 to win the tie, with the draw at 9/4. Click here for all the match odds.
Team News
As reported here yesterday, Martin Ling stayed away from the training ground on Thursday after developing cold symptoms the previous day, while both goalkeepers missed training with the virus that has affected several members of the squad in recent weeks.
The club received permission for an emergency loan of a goalkeeper but it will be not be necessary after Laurie Walker was able to train today. A late decision will be made about the fitness of Danny Potter, who did not train today.
Fullbacks Dan Gleeson and Anthony Tonkin both returned to training this week after recovering from a calf injury and virus respectively, and they could replace youngsters Rory McAuley and Darryl Coakley who have deputised in recent games.
Leading scorer Chris Holroyd and Jai Reason, who were left out of the starting line-up for the 2-2 draw at Eastbourne last weekend, both came off the bench during the game and are poised to return, with assistant manager Paul Carden pleased with the response from both players.
"Chrissy has played every game plus two for England C and he's been brilliant, but he's been showing a few signs lately that maybe it was time to just give him a rest and take in a game from the bench and come on and make an impact.
"It's the same for Jai - he's never been left out of the side since he's been here and he's been superb, but again he's a young lad and he needed a rest as well.
"But it's not just that," added Carden. "Sam Ives and Lee Phillips have done well every time they've come off the bench and put themselves up for the position so I think it will have done everybody good.
"Chrissy and Jai both understand why they were left out and took it on the chin; they wished all the best to the players who went into their positions and they've reacted in the right way, and that's what you want."
The U's player-assistant also ruled out big changes to the team for tomorrow's match, pointing instead to the bug affecting some of the players, which may have an effect on selection.
"I Know Luton left a few out last weekend with their FA Cup game on Tuesday in mind, but we haven't got the same size squad as Luton to be making changes across the board.
"We'll have to assess everybody's fitness first and see what side we can put out because we've had a few go down with this bug. It seems to be making its way through the club so the people who've got it are staying away so the rest of the lads don't catch it.
"But we're playing the biggest side in the competition so whoever plays will be up for it. We're still a decent side and I'd be happy if we kept a clean sheet and won 1-0."
The Other Side
Luton will be on a high after knocking Rotherham United out of the FA Cup on Tuesday but Carden wants United to beat them for the first time this season and move into the next round of a competition that culminates with a money-spinning final at Wembley.
"It's a competition we feel we should progress in," he said. "We've got as tough a draw as you're going to get in the FA Trophy, but if you want to be successful and win trophies, which is what we want to do, then you have to beat teams like Luton to get there.
"With the players and the resources they've got they're the biggest team in this league, but we've shown over both games that - at worst - we're a match for them. We've thrown away the game earlier in the season that we were comfortably leading, and we've shown good resilience in coming back to 2-0 in the last game and possibly could have nicked it at the end.
"They've signed a couple of players since we last played them and we know a bit about them, and we know the way Luton play. They like to get the ball down and play, they're a bit physical with it, they're a well-organised side now and we're expecting a tough game but I'm sure they are too.
"We're looking forward to a good game and a good atmosphere again and we'll hopefully get the right result this time."
More information
You can learn more about the Hatters in Matt Gooding's 'The Other Side' article, and if you fancy a bet on our match or any other event this weekend visit our official betting partners bet365 - the place where your online betting makes money for the U's.
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