Hatters make the mammouth trek to Tyneside

Date: Thursday 21st January 2010, by Tynesider

Gateshead take on former League Cup winners Luton Town at The International Stadium on Saturday, kick-off 3pm. Luton's fall from grace has been dramatic, from being a Championship club selling Curtis Davis in 2005 for £3 million to falling out of the Football League after a 30 point penalty last season.

Managed by former Newcastle United Academy Director Richard Money, Luton made the four and a half hour trip north (not eight hours as some journalists would like to spin it) this morning, taking advantage of Newcastle United's training facilities this afternoon (Sunderland lent Crawley theirs before Christmas, just need Boro to complete the set).

Money, has started to put his mark on the Luton squad in the last couple of months. England C striker Matthew Barnes-Homer (Scored against us earlier in the season) has joined from Kiddderminster for around £75k, defender Alan White has gone out on-loan to Darlington, whilst Kevin Gallen and Kevin Nicholls are transfer listed and miss Saturday through mystery knocks.

Goalkeeper Mark Tyler the hero down at theirs has travelled but will likely miss out through injury, and Barnet Boy's one time favourite striker 'Liam Hatch Hatch Hatch' has also travelled as he looks to step up his comeback.

Gateshead meanwhile have Rikki Bains coming in for his home debut alongside James Curtis, with either Darren Williams or Phil Turnbull likely to miss out. Manager Ian Bogie has decisions to make about who fills the left-back slot with both Cave and Robinson failing to impress in the last few games, a surprise selection can't be ruled out.

On the transfer front Bogie still hopes to have a couple in before the Luton match, with York midfielder Andy Ferrell strongly linked to a switch back home to Tyneside. Affectionately known as Mad Dog by Hereford fans for his robust performances, Ferrell has been sidelined to cameo appearances from the bench in recent months. Playing the early part of the season out of position on the left wing, Ferrell set up Gash's goal against us at the stadium and came on to clatter our midfield down at York in November. Last night he played the full 90 minutes for York at Newport County in the FA Trophy, picking up a knock according to York Manager Martin Foyle.

Gateshead made a failed bid for him in the summer when he was a Kidderminster player alongside Martin Brittain. Likely to find himself outside the starting XI at the weekend and with Cambridge left-winger Courtney Pitt rumoured to be joining York, the lure of home and a starting role in central midfield maybe too strong to resist. But, Martin Foyle has recently said he's happy to have a big squad with games coming thick and fast.

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Hatters make the mammouth trek to Tyneside