For the final home game of the season manager Mick Harford will be without captain Kevin Nicholls for the visit of Rochdale as he undergoes an operation on his knee.

Defender Ed Asafu-Adjaye is also set to miss the clash against sixth place Dale with a sore knee and ankle while Lewis Emanuel is away on compassionate leave.

With the season drawing to a close Harford was disappointed to be without the trio but insisted that they won't be taking the final two games lightly.

He said, at his afternoon press conference: "The main injury concern is to Kevin Nicholls who is having an operation on his knee, so his season is over.

"We'll get him back ready for next season and with Ed and Lewis out it is obviously disappointing.

"However we've got a duty to the other teams in the league and a duty to our supporters to try and get as many points from the last two games.

"We will approach the game to win it. It will be tough. They have one or two players out themselves but their manager [Keith Hill] will want to get them ready for the play-offs."

The Hatters boss then turned his attention to next season's challenge of getting the club back in the Football League at the first attempt hoping to keep the majority of players currently contracted to the club.

He said: "We spoke with the players after we were relegated and many of the individuals were positioned and wanted to stay and face the challenge next season.

"It shows the character of the players. The spirit is unbinding and the camaraderie spot on. The players have been together all season experiencing the highs and lows.

"It was all very heartening to hear. Kevin Nicholls, Keith Keane and George Pilkington want to stay and finish the job and get us back in the Football League.

"We'd like to keep the nucleus of the squad together. We have got to find one or two with Conference or non-league experience.

"There will be six or seven players out of contract at the end of the season and there will be plenty of to-ing and fro-ing so we will need to rebuild again."

And Harford hopes the Luton name can help lure players to join one of the biggest clubs to ply their trade in the non-league's 'top flight'.

"The Luton name has a pull, the club, its history and the badge. We will try and attract the best possible players while sticking to the budget.

"While I am at this football club we won't be going over budget.

"I believe with the scouting network we've got, the players we have and contacts I have that we'll get the squad together to get us back up."