Newport v Luton preview
Thursday 15 March 2018 21:20, UK
Newport manager Mike Flynn has a selection poser over his strikers ahead of the Sky Bet League Two meeting with promotion hopefuls Luton.
Flynn, whose side are six points off the play-offs, must decide whether Padraig Amond starts against the Hatters after the striker was taken off during the win at Yeovil. That moved paid off as Paul Hayes made it four goals in two games, netting a late second goal in a 2-0 win where Josh Sheehan had opened the scoring minutes after Amond was replaced in a tactical move by Flynn.
Frank Nouble, Hayes' replacement in that game, is pushing for a start and fit-again defender Scot Bennett will look to add to the substitute's appearance he made against Yeovil.
Luton boss Nathan Jones must decide if he can afford to continue with Marek Stech after the goalkeeper's mistakes allowed Coventry to score twice in the 2-2 midweek draw. Jones has seen his second-placed Hatters' form dip of late as they chase automatic promotion and Stech's errors proved costly against the Sky Blues.
He has the option of bringing in James Shea, whose five appearances this season have been restricted to outings in the Checkatrade Trophy. James Collins is set to retain his place after returning from suspension with a late leveller against Coventry but Lawson D'Ath remains sidelined with a knee problem.
Opta stats
Newport are unbeaten in their last six home Football League matches against Luton (W4 D2) since losing 3-1 in October 1946.
Luton are, however, unbeaten in their last four league games against Newport since losing 3-0 in November 2015 when substitute Oliver McBurnie scored a hat-trick.
The Exiles are unbeaten in seven home league games, though five of those have ended level, including each of the last three in a row (W2).
Coincidentally, each of Luton's last three away league games have also all ended level.
