After a week in which the Hatters suffered a disappointing opening day defeat to Port Vale and followed this up with a spirited victory against Plymouth Argyle, Mick Harford is expecting a tough assignment at the Priestfield Stadium tomorrow.

Harford's men travel to Kent to face a Gillingham outfit who, like their visitors, experienced relegation from League One last time around and will be looking to bounce back at the first attempt.

Harford commented: "We're going into a difficult game at Gillingham.

"It'll be a really tough encounter and they'll be up for it.

"It's never easy to go down there but I'm delighted with the progress in the last two weeks in terms of the style of play and the way we want to play and hopefully we can continue that."

"I know Stimmo (Mark Stimson). He'll put his team out and they'll be aggressive, they'll be at you, they'll be down your throat.

"They've got (Mark) McCammon and (Simeon) Jackson up front, the big one and the little one and there will be long balls onto McCammon and flick-ons for Jackson so we'll have to deal with that."

"We'll have to put our emphasis on the game and hopefully go down there and get a victory.

Stimson expressed similar sentiments about the Hatters.

He said: "It will be a difficult game as they are fighting for their lives.

"We expect a tough challenge and any team managed by Mick Harford isn't going to roll over easily.

"If they do it like Leeds did last year and claw it back then the remainder of the season could be very interesting for them."

Regarding the team, aside from the obvious longer-term casualties - Drew Talbot and George Beaven - Harford will have an almost full squad to pick from.

Sol Davis is fully fit and available for selection and while Lewis Emanuel is rated as a doubt, he will undergo a fitness test on Saturday morning.

Harford also admitted that he is still looking to strenthen his squad with an experienced gfoalkeeper at the top of his shopping list.