Southampton vs Luton - Match preview

Team News

Vine: Suspended tomorrow

Luton - Luton's selection problems haven't eased over the past week, and in contrast they have worsened. Top scorer Rowan Vine will be suspended for the trip down to Southampton after picking up his fifth yellow card against Derby last Saturday. This means that Luton are now down to just two out and out forwards - Adam Boyd and Warren Feeney, who have scored just three goals between them this season. Calvin Andrew is out with a long term injury and Sam Parkin has also got a hamstring injury, so there may not be much cover on the bench in case Boyd or Feeney get injured. Newell is unlikely to play Dean Morgan or Ahmet Brkovic up front, despite both players playing up front at some stage in their careers. Other players who have been injured are not going to return either. Chris Coyne is the closest player to recovery, but is not yet ready, Paul Underwood hasn't recovered from an illness yet and Sol Davis is obviously nowhere near a return, and we continue to wish him a full recovery. A few selection issues will still be around for Newell from his match fit players. Richard Langley has been dropped for the last two games and may have a claim for a first team place. Marcus Heikkinen will either continue in midfield or drop back into defence, Dean Morgan may have a claim for a first team place ahead of Ahmet Brkovic, and then there is the keeper situation. Dean Kiely, who signed on loan from Portsmouth yesterday, will probably replace Marlon in goal, with Dean Brill dropping out of the squad.

Predicted Team - Kiely (GK), Emanuel (DL), Foley (DR), Perrett (DC), Barnett (DC), Brkovic (ML), Edwards (MR), Heikkinen (MC), Robinson (capt) (MC), Boyd (SC), Feeney (SC)
Southampton - Southampton also have a few doubts over their team ahead of the match tomorrow. Inigo Idiakez, who scored against Luton for Derby last season, will probably not play because of a thigh strain he has picked up. Other injury doubts are likely to feature still. Kenwyne Jones also scored against Luton last season and will probably shake off an ankle injury in time to play against us tomorrow. The next teenage superstar from St. Mary's will probably feature as well. 17 year old Welsh international defender Gareth Bale has impressed for Southampton so far this season, and despite picking up an ankle injury will probably feature tomorrow. Like Southampton's last teenage superstar, Theo Walcott, he will be hoping to score against Luton like he has done in three other matches this season. Knowing our defence, he'll probably score another three goals this season. David Prutton will probably not feature for the home team. The last match between the two teams at Southampton finished 1-0 to the home side, who finished the match with 10 men. Theo Walcott got the winning goal, a goal which some people suggested sealed his move to Arsenal last January. Southampton have a slightly better head to head record against Luton, with 24 wins to 21 and 110 goals to 109. Recent clashes have also been edged by Southampton, with a 6-0 win at The Dell for the Saints standing out in particular. One former Luton player will play tomorrow against the Hatters - keeper Kelvin Davis. Southampton are 8th in the league and are unbeaten in four matches, five points ahead of Luton.

Kelvin Davis: Ex-Hatter at St. Mary's

Prediction
We probably aren't going to get a result tomorrow, no matter how much effect Dean Kiely has on the defence (if he plays). 2-0 win for Southampton, and our abysmal form will have to continue.