Following a 3-0 victory over Grays Athletic in the fourth qualifying round, the Town find themselves in the first round proper of the FA Cup on Saturday when they tackle League 2's second place side Rochdale.

Keith Hill's side are enjoying a fine start to the season in the league above the Hatters but their visit to Bedfordshire co-incides with the first match in charge of new Hatters boss Richard Money.

After watching his new side lose at home to Rushden & Diamonds last weekend, Money will be expecting better from his side but knows it won't be easy against a Dale side buoyed by a 4-0 win at leaders Bournemouth.

Although both sides have promotion aspirations come April those targets will be put on hold for 90 minutes with a place in the second round of the competition at stake.

Team news

Hatters: Richard Money welcomes back Keith Keane to the squad following his recovery from a medial knee ligament injury. There are no fresh injury or suspensions issues for the new boss but Liam Hatch and Lewis Emanuel are still missing with ankle and toe problems respectively.

Rochdale: Keith Hill has a number of injury problems for the trip south. However, it's touch and go that Gary Jones (hamstring), Scott Wiseman, Will Buckley (ankle) and goalkeeper Kenny Arthur (back) make it. All are rated 50-50. Hill will also be without loan stars Simon Whaley and Dale Stephens as they have not been granted permission to play by Norwich and Oldham respectively. Oldham have, however, allowed striker Chris O'Grady to play against the Town.

Money talk:

"It's an important game. We want to win. We want to get into the next round. It gives us the opportunity to concentrate on getting through before we focus on the nitty-gritty of the league. The fact that it is a cup game is an ideal situation as it gives me the chance to have a look at one or two things without the pressure of the three points at the end of it."

 Hatters Player subscribers can view Richard Money's pre-match press conference here

Rochdale's last six: W L W W L W

Dale's 4-0 win at Bournemouth last Saturday earned Keith Hill and his side the F&C Investments Performance of the Week award. Dale's form of late has propelled them into second place in League 2.

The Spotland faithful have every right to be pleased with their side's performances of late having seen their side win seven of their last nine games including a four-match winning streak in September.

On the road Dale have won four and lost one of their five so they will be coming to Kenilworth Road full of confidence.

Rochdale in focus

Nickname: The Dale

Manager: Keith Hill

Ground: Spotland

Last season: League Two 6th

Previous meetings:

Luton wins: 7

Rochdale wins: 4

Draws: 2

These two sides have only met 13 times, despite the first meeting coming 44 years ago! That came in September 1965, when both clubs were in the bottom tier of English football and Luton ran out 2-1 winners at Spotland. In the reverse fixture at Kenilworth the Hatters secured an impressive 4-1 win.

There have always been goals in this fixture with 35 scored in just 12 games, 21 of which have come from the Hatters, while Dale have netted 14 times.

The last time the two sides met was last April when Dale were the last visitors for a Football League match at Kenilworth Road when the Town had to settle for a 1-1 draw after leading at the break thanks to Tom Craddock's penalty.

Recent history:

The recent history of today's visitors is a remarkable one given that Rochdale have spent the entire last 35 years in what today is known as League 2 since their relegation from the old Division 3 in 1974.

In more recent times the Dale have come close to finally breaking the run with two appearances in the end-of-season Play-Offs and with the season reaching its climax, the Spotland faithful will hope the Play-Off lottery is kinder to them than in previous years.

In 2001/02 they missed out after a semi-final defeat to Rushden and Diamonds but in May 2008 they went one stage further and reached the final but they lost to Stockport County at Wembley after seeing off Darlington.

Hill's side were at the top end of the League Two promotion hunt again last season but following a sixth-place finish they succumbed to eventual Play-Off winners Gillingham at the semi-final stage.

Official website: www.rochdaleafc.co.uk

Remember www.lutontown.co.uk is the only place for all your Hatters news straight from the Kenilworth Road. Remember to join us for all the action as it happens at before, during and after the all important game with Rochdale - whether it's the popular live text updates or live commentary - we've got it.

And we'll have all the post-match reaction and match action following the game. Come on you Hatters!