Daggers clash no sharper for Luton

THE links between Luton Town and Dagenham & Redbridge are obvious but Hatters goalkeeper Mark Tyler is adamant there is no added spice to Sunday’s Victoria Road showdown.

Luton are managed by John Still, who spent more than a decade in charge of the Daggers across two separate spells, leaving the second for Kenilworth Road in 2013.

On top of that, current Hatters Craig MackailSmith, Paul Benson and Scott Griffiths are just three members of the Luton squad who were signed by Still during his Dagenham days.

But veteran stopper Tyler insists Sunday’s clash is just another league game – and nothing to get too worked up about.

“There are connections the gaffer and the staff have and a few of the players, but we’ll treat it as another game,” said the 38-year-old.

“It’s not a special game for the team, just three points on show and hopefully we can come away with a nice win.

“People are working hard up until Sunday, nothing will change, we’ll do our preparation like we do for a Saturday game.”

Luton are waiting on the fitness of Dan Potts, Sean Long and Pelly Ruddock Mpanzu after they were all forced off in last weekend’s defeat to Plymouth.

However, Benson could feature for the first time since August, while fellow striker Mackail-Smith also hopes to be involved as both recover from neck injuries.

Meanwhile, midfielder James Dunne could be in line for a Daggers debut after joining from Portsmouth on loan and the 26-year-old is eager to get stuck in.

“I’ve come down to try and help Dagenham out,” said Dunne.

“I want to move up the table as we are sitting at the bottom of the league at the moment which is obviously not where we want to be. I feel I can come in and help them push up the table. There are some very good players out there so I hope we can put some results together.

“I’ve played over 200 games of football so hopefully I can pass some stuff on.”