Southampton v Luton Town

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Saints boss George Burley has a number of injury concerns ahead of the visit of The Hatters, with Gareth Bale (ankle), Inigo Idiakez (thigh) and Kenwyne Jones (ankle) all facing late fitness tests.

However David Prutton could make his first appearance of the season from the bench after recovering from ankle surgery.

Hatters boss Mike Newell is determined to end a run of six defeats in all competitions, and could introduce loan signing Dean Kiely for his debut in place of Marlon Beresford.

Up front Luton are struggling with top scorer Rowan Vine suspended and Sam Parkin injured, whilst at the back Chris Coyne and Paul Underwood continue their comebacks from long-term injuries.

Source: http://home.skysports.com

[kennethlindheim]

Soton:
1 Kelvin Davis
19 Chris Makin
21 Chris Baird
5 Claus Lundekvam
22 Gareth Bale
3 Pedro Pele
29 Andrew Surman
23 John Viafara
10 Jermaine Wright
7 Rudolf Skacel
9 Grzegorz Rasiak

Subs
28 Bartosz Bialkowski
2 Alexander Ostlund
12 Mario Licka
8 Bradley Wright-Phillips
15 Kenwyne Jones

Luton:
23 Dean Kiely
2 Kevin Foley
5 Russell Perrett
25 Leon Barnett
16 Lewis Emanuel
26 Markus Heikkinen
7 Carlos Edwards
8 Steve Robinson
18 Ahmet Brkovic
10 Warren Feeney
20 Adam Boyd

Subs
1 Marlon Beresford
28 David Bell
11 Dean Morgan
27 Peter Holmes
17 Richard Langley

[kennethlindheim]

1:0 Chris Baird (15)

[kennethlindheim]

2:0 Grzegorz Rasiak (38 pen)

[kennethlindheim]

2-0 Half-time!

[kennethlindheim]

2:1 Russell Perrett (67)

[kennethlindheim]

2-1 Full-time!

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Newell rages at penalty award

Luton manager Mike Newell criticised referee Paul Armstrong for his controversial penalty award as his side went down 2-1 at Southampton.

Hatters defender Leon Barnett was adjudged to have handled under pressure from Grzegorz Rasiak and the Polish striker scored from the spot to add to Chris Baird's early opener for the home team.

Russell Perrett pulled a goal back for Luton in the second half but it was not enough to save them from a sixth consecutive Championship defeat.

"The goal that decided the game was given for handball but I know it wasn't handball by my defender," said Newell.

"The ball struck the Southampton striker's hand and we have four or five players in our dressing room who will swear on their lives that the referee has made a mistake.

"That is another defeat and it is difficult to take too many positives out of the game although the second half was much better than the first.

"There is a lack of confidence after six defeats in a row but we will keep trying to play football, the sort I know we are capable of."

Southampton manager George Burley had no doubts that the penalty decision was the correct one and said his side's promotion challenge is beginning to take shape.

"It was definitely a handball," Burley said. "Their player looked as if he was trying to play basketball.

"More importantly, that is five games unbeaten and we are starting to find that consistency we need to get out of the division.

"I was pleased with the first half when we scored two and created lots of chances.

"This sets us up for our match with Birmingham next week and it should be a cracker."

Source: http://home.skysports.com