The Hatters play their first group game of this season's Checkatrade Trophy as Brighton & Hove Albion Under-21s head to Kenilworth Road this evening.
Town's games in the tournament for the past two years have tended to be some of the more entertaining games the Hatters have been involved in, in recent times, with memorable wins against Gillingham, West Brom Under-21s and West Ham to name but a few.
Last season saw the Hatters reach the third round of the competition, as they were knocked out by a Peterborough United side that included Jack Marriott.
This is Brighton's third season in the competition, having been knocked out at the group stages last year. Rule changes this year mean they are only allowed to select two players who are over the age of 21 and have made more than 40 career appearances.
If tonight’s match finishes level after 90 minutes, both teams get one point. As with last season’s group stage games against Tottenham and Barnet here at Kenilworth Road, there will then be a penalty competition with an additional point on offer to the winners of the shoot-out, which will revert back to the traditional ABAB format following last season’s trial with an ABBA sequence.
THE GAFFER SAYS:
On the game: "It's a wonderful occasion, we like playing these different games, different teams. Tomorrow will be a good test because they've started superbly well in their league, they're unbeaten, having played Man City, Liverpool, Arsenal, Tottenham, so it's been a tough start for them.
"They'll be a very well organised, a very young side and we have got to be at our best. It's a real good test for us, a good test of character as well, it's a similar test to what we get in a lot of ways, so it's a competition we'd like to do well in, that starts tomorrow."
On his close connections with Brighton: "I am very close to Simon Rusk, I knew him from the time I went there, I included him in my first team staff when I took over for a few games, so I know the level of coaching that he has.
"Liam Rosenior has just gone in there, he was a player when I was there, I have known him for a long time, he's someone I know very much so. They have a lot of players there that were in the Under-21s setup that I know, they've added real quality, but I know most of them there."
On the timing of the game: "It has come at a good time with the squad we have, if we want to rest and want to rotate then we are able to do that with the quality that we have.
"It gives people like Berry another opportunity to get closer to full fitness, so it has come at a good time. But our planning has been done in weeks advance and we've planned for this game, the training we'd do. It's come at a good time."
The Gaffer also took part in an EFL 'Every Game Matters' video promoting the Checkatrade Trophy, which you can view for FREE by clicking here!
WHO?
Plying their trade in Premier League 2 Division One after promotion last season, the Seagulls are managed by former Boston United, York City and Crawley Town man Simon Rusk. The ex-midfielder took over in March 2015, having previously been in charge of the club's under-18s.
WHEN AND WHERE?
Kick-off is at 7.45pm at Kenilworth Road on Tuesday 4th September.
TICKET INFORMATION
Tickets are priced at just £5 for adults and £1 for Under-16s.
For those attending tonight’s game we would like to advise that unreserved seating in the Main Stand and Main Enclosure is available for home supporters.
Tickets can be purchased in advance and collected on the night. Alternatively, cash turnstiles will be in operation.
Diamond Season Ticket holders receive their ‘Free First Cup Game' for tonight’s fixture, however, a ticket will be required for entry. This can be purchased in advance and collected from the collection points tonight or purchased on the night from the Ticket Office.
For all the details, click here.
CAR PARKING
If you're driving to the game tomorrow, don't forget you can take advantage of the car parking now available at Power Court. Make sure you get your permit now by clicking here.
FOLLOW THE ACTION
The main blow-by-blow account of the action from Kenilworth Road will be provided via the Match Centre on the club website, which you can access by clicking here. (*Please note that the club's Live Text will appear only by accessing through an internet browser, users of the Luton Town FC app will receive updates from Opta...the EFL Digital team assure us they are working on a fix to get club updates onto the app)
The main moments from the game will appear on the Hatters' social media feeds:
Twitter – @LutonTown
Facebook – www.facebook.com/LutonTown/
Instagram – www.instagram.com/ltfc_official/
And of course Simon Pitts will be on hand to provide commentary for iFollow Hatters which you can subscribe to by clicking here. Match passes for watching the live video stream of the match are available for £10 for domestic viewers.