Hatters boss Nathan Jones has named several of the club’s top young prospects in his team to kick off the Checkatrade Trophy campaign against Tottenham Hotspur U21s – and we can guarantee that on tonight’s showing, the future will be bright for Luton Town!
At referee Craig Hicks’ request to avoid a clash of navy shorts with our visitors from north London, the Town will be wearing all orange – orange shirt, shorts and socks – in the Southern Group F opener that kicks off at 7.45pm.
In the side that we hope will light up the competition in the same way the club’s talented youngsters did last season are full-backs James Justin and Jack Senior, centre-half Akin Famewo, midfielder Tyreeq Bakinson and new attacking signing from Bournemouth, Harry Cornick.
Also returning to the line-up for the first time this season is last year’s 27-goal top scorer Danny Hylton, while goalkeeper James Shea makes his competitive debut for the club.
On the bench for the first time is 20-year-old keeper Harry Isted, along with youth team players Arthur Read, Jake Peck, Ciaren Jones, Jack James and Michael Shamalo.
The Town line-up is: Shea, Justin, Mullins ©, Famewo, Senior, Bakinson, Cook, Gambin, Cornick, Hylton, Elliot Lee. Subs: McQuoid, Read, Peck, Jones, James, Shamalo, Isted (GK)
SPURS: Austin, Miller, Dinzeyi, Pritchard ©, Loft, Maghoma, Tracey, Bennetts, Duncan, Tanganga, Skipp. Subs: De Bie (GK), Sterling, Roles, Shashova, Eyoma
REFEREE: Craig Hicks
*REMEMBER that if tonight’s game ends in a draw, each team will be awarded one point – but a penalty shoot-out will then take place with the winner being awarded a bonus point.
The shoot-out will then follow the newly-introduced ABBA format rather than the traditional ABAB system. If the scores are level after five penalties the shoot-out will revert to the sudden death method as in previous seasons, still using the ABBA system.