NEWPORT County boss Tim Harris is ready to ask utility man Eddie Odhiambo to put in another shift at left back for tonight’s mouthwatering clash with Luton Town, after releasing defender Michael Burns.

The Exiles are ready to tackle the Hatters in front of a bumper Spytty Park crowd, around 850 Luton supporters expected to make the journey over the Severn Bridge.

County, winless in 2011 yet still well in contention for the Blue Square South playoffs, have struggled all season to fill the troublesome left back berth with first choice Lee Baker ruled out for the campaign with a broken foot suffered in pre-season.

Wily campaigner Alan Goodall filled the void for a time, but County are now on the look-out for a new defender after Burns was told in midweek that he is surplus to requirements.

“It was a difficult decision because Michael is a top quality prospect and is going to be a very good footballer who could be a big asset to our club,” Harris said.

“My problem is that he’s three or four weeks behind the others in terms of match fitness, it’s too much of a risk to leave him exposed at this level.

“If it was pre-season we’d be OK, but sadly on this occasion we’ve had to be fair to him, there is no point making him traipse across the country if he isn’t going to play.”

Harris admits that replacing Burns isn’t proving an easy task.

“We’ve been offered three youngsters from good clubs like Stoke and a couple of Championship sides, but here’s the thing, if I am going to sign a kid, why not play our own (Andrew Hughes)?

“The thing we want is to find an Alan Goodall mark II, someone with bags of experience who can come in and hit the ground running.

“Hopefully we’ll be able to do something next week.”

Harris admits that tonight’s clash with Luton Town is a huge one for the club, both in terms of their progress and aspirations for the future.

“I think to be fair, Luton Town at home, under the lights on a Friday night, I don’t think as football fans we can ask for too much more than that, it should be a great evening,” he said.

“When you think of everything this football club achieved last season, I think nights like tonight are what that achievement was all about.

“We need to get back on a good run and to be honest I don’t think many games have the potential to be more inspiring that playing a big, big club like Luton.”

County have an almost fully fit squad to choose from, though defender Chris Todd is suspended just as skipper Gary Warren returns from a four-game ban. He is likely to be paired with Wayne Hatswell.

Kerry Morgan is County’s only injury concern, having tweaked his groin in Tuesday’s 1-0 friendly win over Merthyr Town.

County (Argus predicted line-up): Garner, Bignot, Odhiambo, Hatswell, Todd, Knights, Miller, Collins, Rose, Matthews, Griffin Subs (from): Thompson, Hughes, Foley, Morgan, Fowler, McDonald, Odubade, Lennon, Montgomery