Luton Town vs Middlesbrough - Bosses set for bows as Luton take on Middlesbrough

Posted Thursday, August 01, 2019 by PA

Graeme Jones and Jonathan Woodgate will take charge of their first competitive games in management when Luton face Middlesbrough on Friday.

Jones, long-time assistant to Roberto Martinez, has made the jump to the hotseat with Championship newcomers Luton and must decide which of his summer signings to throw into the fray.

Goalkeeper Simon Sluga, who became Town’s record signing when he joined from HNK Rijeka in July, looks certain to make his debut.

Martin Cranie, Brendan Galloway, Ryan Tunnicliffe, Jacob Butterfield and Callum McManaman are the Hatters’ other new arrivals.

Former England defender Woodgate is now in charge of his home-town club Boro and reported positive injury news.

Goalkeeper Darren Randolph, who has been sidelined with a calf injury since mid-July, and defender George Friend, who missed the end of last season and has featured just once in pre-season, are both expected to be fit.

Young defender Dael Fry, though, is unlikely to make the trip as he continues to work his way back to full fitness following a hamstring problem picked up in April.

Woodgate must decide whether to give debuts to new signings Marcus Browne and Marc Bola.