Russ not in the bull-Penn as Gateshead host Luton

Posted Friday, December 01, 2017 by PA

Gateshead will be without midfielder Russ Penn through suspension for Sunday's FA Cup second-round clash with Sky Bet League Two high-flyers Luton.

Penn was sent off for committing two bookable offences within minutes during the first half of Heed's 1-1 Vanarama National League draw with Solihull last Saturday and will serve a one-match ban.

Manager Steve Watson otherwise has few selection problems with central defender Fraser Kerr having come through the Moors game unscathed despite being a doubt beforehand with a calf injury.

Gateshead secured their place in the second round with a 2-0 win over Chelmsford - Watson's first victory at the International Stadium - last month.

Andrew Shinnie is pushing to start for Luton this weekend.

Luton scored twice after Shinnie came off the bench in the win over Crewe last Saturday and the on-loan Birmingham midfielder could be rewarded with a place in the starting line-up.

Alan McCormack is fit again following his hernia operation but James Collins (hamstring) and Scott Cuthbert (groin) remain out.

Luton sit top of League Two and are unbeaten in six matches.