Luton v Southend preview
Monday 20 August 2018 17:16, UK
Luton midfielder Alan McCormack has been ruled out of the Sky Bet League One game against former club Southend.
The experienced Irishman suffered a calf injury against Peterborough at the weekend, with Glen Rea, who replaced him at London Road, ready to deputise.
Midfielder Luke Berry is edging closer to a return to regular action following a dislocated ankle and a fractured fibula but needs time to regain fitness. Hatters manager Nathan Jones has no other selection concerns.
Southend boss Chris Powell could name an unchanged team after picking up a first win of the season on Saturday. Forward Tom Hopper should keep his place after scoring in the 2-0 victory over Bradford.
Midfielder Sam Barratt is out for the foreseeable future with a knee injury, while Luke Hyam (hamstring) and Harry Lennon (broken toe) are unlikely to return. Midfielders Shawn McCoulsky and Michael Klass plus striker Theo Robinson are hoping for recalls after being dropped to the bench against the Bantams.
Opta stats
Luton and Southend will be facing each other in a fixture in the third tier for the first time since the 2007-08 campaign, when both sides recorded one victory each.
Luton are unbeaten in their last 13 games in all competitions against Southend (W8 D5), only against Newport County (25) are they are on a longer current unbeaten run.
Luton have drawn one and lost two of their first three league games this season, last failing to win any of their first four back in the 2015/16 campaign.
Southend have only won three of their last 16 away league matches (D5 L8), but two of those victories have come in the last three such matches (D1).
Tom Hopper has been directly involved in three goals in three league appearances for Southend this season (two goals, one assist), as many as in his final 13 such games for Scunthorpe last season.
