After a gruelling league schedule over the Christmas period, Wanderers can now turn their attention to the Emirates FA Cup where Premier League opposition await.
Ian Evatt’s men, backed by a sold-out away end, make the trip to Kenilworth Road on Sunday afternoon to take on Luton Town in the Third Round of the Emirates FA Cup.
Manager quotes
Ian Evatt: “We’ve had some sleepless nights reviewing some of Luton’s games and their strategy against some of the best teams in the world in Liverpool, Man City and Chelsea.
“They’ve been really good to watch and knowing Rob, seeing the job he’s doing is fantastic.
“We know it’s a huge task for us on Sunday and we’ve spoken about being the best version of us and if we give a good performance, we’re comfortable no matter what the result.
“We’re going to go there humble, we’re going to work hard and try to show what this club is all about."
Luton Town Manager Rob Edwards: "Bolton are a very capable team. They are dangerous, confident and in good form so it will be a very difficult game.
"I know their manager very well, he's a former teammate of mine and he has done a brilliant job with them.
"He's been building that club for a number of years, he's had time which he's deserved because of the results they've had. They've had a promotion under him already and went close again last year."
Team News
Ian Evatt confirmed that there was no fresh injury news to report this week with George Johnston and Dan Nlundulu the only long term absentees.
Gethin Jones and Carlos Mendes Gomes remain away on international duty.
Rob Edwards has plenty of options heading into this tie with “17 or 18 starting options” to pick from. Marvelous Nakamba, Tom Lockyer, Dan Potts and Reece Burke are not available for selection.
Form guide
Many in the footballing world had not given much hope to Luton in their debut season in the top-flight but they’re more than showing that they are no mugs in the Premier League.
They recently ran both Arsenal and Man City close but narrowly lost by one goal in each of those games before picking up maximum points in the following two games.
A home victory against Newcastle before beating Sheffield United away lifted them to within one point of safety.
A spirited late fightback against Chelsea last time out wasn’t enough in the end to salvage a point but confidence is rising at Kenilworth Road having shown that they can give many of the big boys a run for their money.
Wanderers themselves are on a four-game winning streak after collecting maximum points over Christmas and New Year.
Victories against Solihull Moors and Harrogate Town so far in this competition have resulted in this fixture and Ian Evatt’s men will be keen to show exactly what they can do against Premier League opposition.
Officials:
Referee: Andrew Madley
Assistant Referees: Nick Hopton and Bhupinder Singh Gill
Fourth Official: Jamie Linington
VAR: Tim Robinson
Kick-off:
Sunday, 2pm.
Tickets:
Wanderers have sold out of their 1,600 ticket allocation and there will be no more tickets available.
We thank you for your magnificent support.
Coverage:
Due to competition rules, only supporters with a monthly or annual subscription to Wanderers TV are eligible to listen to live commentary of this Emirates FA Cup fixture.
No video feed will be available.
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