All you need to know ahead of Saturday's game with County
Luton Town v Notts County
Sky Bet League 2
Saturday 30th January 2016, kick-off 3pm
Official live online commentary on Hatters Player
• Nathan Jones’ second home game in charge
• New Town boss still unbeaten (W1, D1)
• County 17th in League 2
• Notts beaten Hatters 3-2 in September
• Town lost only six of 35 home meetings
• Joe Pigott in line to make Hatters debut
• Under-18s to lift Youth Alliance trophy at half-time
WHO? Notts County, aka the Magpies, arrive at Kenilworth Road for the first time since 2008. County are the oldest club in the world to play at a professional level and have played at all levels in the Football League. Last season they were relegated from League 1 on the final day of the season.
HOW ARE THEY DOING? Like the Hatters, County have recently changed managers. Ricardo Moniz was sacked after a poor run of form and the Meadow Lane hierarchy replaced him with former Bolton Under-21 boss Jamie Fullarton. The Magpies sit in 17th place in the table, two places and one point below the Town in League 2. Fullarton got his first victory in charge in his first game at Crawley but last weekend they lost at home to AFC Wimbledon.
ON THE ROAD. County have won just twice away from Meadow Lane this season with their win at Crawley two weeks ago their first since an opening-day-of-the-season victory at Stevenage. Their troubles on their travels were highlights live on BBC when they were knocked out of the FA Cup by Salford City.
HAVEN’T WE MET BEFORE? Saturday’s meeting will be the 69th between the two clubs. The Hatters have enjoyed the overall head-to-head record, winning 34 to Notts’ 15. 19 have ended draws. The Town have beaten County 6-0 three times at Kenilworth Road before, but one of County’s 15 wins was of particular importance as their 2-1 win in May 1992 relegated the Hatters from the top-flight.
ONE TO WATCH. Striker Izale McLeod scored twice against the Town in County’s 3-2 win at Meadow Lane in September. The experience forward has eight goals to his name so far this season and is one goal away from his 160th in senior football.
EX-FACTOR. The Town have former Magpie Alan Sheehan on the books after signing him on loan last week. The defender was on-loan at Meadow Lane earlier this season. County, meanwhile, have veteran goalkeeper Kevin Pilkington still registered as a player. The 41-year-old Hitchin-born stopper is the Magpies’ goalkeeper coach and spent almost three years at Kenilworth Road, making 33 appearances.
TICKETS PLEASE. It’s category b prices on Saturday. Buy online or direct from the ticket office and subject to availability, there will be cash turnstiles. Click here for further information and prices.
STAY IN YOUR SEATS. Our all-conquering youth team will receive their championship trophy at half-time on Saturday so make sure you stay put to give them the recognition they deserve.
OAK ROAD BAR OPEN. Hatters fans in the Oak Road end will be able to enjoy a pre-match pint in a newly-created area which has been granted a temporary license to sell alcohol. Click here for more information on it.
REF WATCH. Hugely experienced referee Keith Hill will make his first visit to Kenilworth Road in 13 years on Saturday. Mr Hill last oversaw a match here in the Town’s 3-2 win over Northampton in February 2003. This season he took charge of our 2-0 win at Dagenham and last season he was the man-in-the-middle for the 1-0 victory at Plymouth. Keith has shown 95 yellow cards but just five reds in just 23 games this season.
TOWN TEAM NEWS. The Town will check on the fitness of goalkeeper Mark Tyler and winger Ryan Hall before making a decision to bring them back into the side. The pair both came off in the goalless draw with Cambridge two weeks ago. Danny Green (ankle) and Josh McQuoid (knee) are definitely out, while manager Nathan Jones could give a debut to new loan signing Joe Pigott, the striker who joined the Town on Thursday.
LIVE AND ONLINE. As ever, we’ll be reporting live from Kenilworth Road. Build-up starts at midday, so get on our early blog on the Wall for all the latest updates.
Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube for photos, videos and all the behind-the-scenes action. Hatters Player subscribers will be able to listen to live commentary from just before 3pm with Simon Pitts in the press box.
Post-match, remember to check out the official website, YouTube channel and Player for reports, interviews and photographs and don’t forget to tune in from midday on Sunday for all the highlights in glorious HD!