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Harding Out, Richards OK
Harding Out, Richards OK
Friday, 16th Mar 2007 15:56

Dan Harding is out of Saturday's trip to Luton but Matt Richards is OK and is included in an 18-man squad. Both sustained ankle injuries in Tuesday's 1-0 defeat at Preston.

With Scott Barron not included in the squad, Harding's place at left-back is likely to be filled by David Wright switching from the other flank. Fabian Wilnis is likely to come into the side at right-back. Jason De Vos and Alex Bruce will be at the centre of the defence. Richard Naylor (toe) and Chris Casement (ankle) remain on the sidelines.

In midfield, the Town manager will have to decide to recall Owen Garvan in the centre or stick with the greater attacking threat of George O'Callaghan alongside Sylvain Legwinski.

Matt Richards looks unlikely to be involved which could see Gavin Williams make his first start since his return from his pelvic injury on one flank with Gary Roberts on the other, although Jaime Peters could be recalled after missing out at Preston.

Up front, Alan Lee is back after his one-match ban and could come in for Jon Walters, who has been suffering with a hamstring niggle for a couple of weeks. Danny Haynes is likely to get the nod ahead of Billy Clarke.

Luton have appointed former striker Brian Stein as caretaker-manager after sacking Mike Newell on Thursday, a dismissal which Jim Magilton wasn't expecting at this stage of the season: "I am surprised at the timing of the decision regarding Mike.

"I have some sympathy for him because he lost his best players and not replaced them and when you want to achieve something in the game, you need your best players.

"He's made some strong comments this season and it looks as though he's paid the price for that."

Stein could recall Bjorn Runstrom, Warren Feeney and Dean Morgan, while Austrian striker Besian Idrizaj has joined on loan from Liverpool. Keeper Marlon Beresford has a head injury and Dean Brill could replace him. Ahmet Brkovic has an ankle injury, while Paul Underwood is sidelined due to illness.

Town won the Portman Road fixture 5-0 back in October with Alan Lee netting a hat-trick and Sylvain Legwinski and Jaime Peters also on the scoresheet.

Saturday's referee is former Premiership official Andy D'Urso from Billericay, not always a favourite with Town followers. D'Urso has shown 80 yellow and four red cards in 34 games this season. His last Town game was the 1-0 victory over Birmingham on New Year's Day.

Squad: Bruce, Clarke, De Vos, Garvan, Haynes, Lee, Legwinski, O'Callaghan, Peters, Price, Richards, Roberts, Sito, Supple, Walters, Williams, Wilnis, Wright.


Photo: Action Images



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