Blackwell backing Luton to upset Everton

Luton manager Kevin Blackwell believes his side have “nothing to lose” as his Coca-Cola League One side seek to continue their giant-killing Carling Cup run against Everton.

Blackwell’s side have already dumped out Barclays Premier League side Sunderland and Championship club Charlton at Kenilworth Road this season and will be hoping for a hat-trick against David Moyes’ side to put them into the last eight.

He said: “For the 16 teams left in the competition, everyone is thinking that there is only three more games to go until you’re in the final.

“I don’t see any reason why we shouldn’t think as big as everyone else. It’s going to be a tough challenge but we are looking forward to it.”

Blackwell’s side have had an inconsistent season in League One but are unbeaten in their last five home games in all competitions and were hugely impressive in coming from behind to beat Charlton in extra-time of the last round.

And former Leeds manager Blackwell believes that if his side can reach the same level of performance against Everton they have every chance of progressing.

He said: “At home, we are playing some good football.

“If we can repeat our performances from our games against Nottingham Forest, Northampton, Charlton and Sunderland then we have a chance.

“We have criticised the players after certain performances but they deserved the plaudits after those games.

“We had nothing to lose against Sunderland and Charlton and we have nothing to lose on Wednesday night either.”

Blackwell checked out the opposition at their comfortable 2-0 win at Derby on Sunday and is expecting Moyes to name a strong side.

He said: “I spoke to Everton’s chief scout at Derby on Sunday and he was impressed with Luton.

“He knows our home record is strong and it may force David Moyes to play a strong squad.

“Cup games at Kenilworth Road have been magic so far this season.

“Anyone who has been to one has gone away exhilarated so let’s hope that we can do that again tomorrow night.

“We sit here right now three points off the play-offs and one game away from the quarter-finals of the Carling Cup.

“No other team outside the top two divisions has achieved that and that is full credit to the players.”

Veteran defender Chris Perry is set to continue at right-back after Chris Coyne returned from a groin injury to partner on-loan Bolton youngster Jaroslaw Fojut in the centre of defence against Forest while Paul Furlong will play alone up front.

Striker Drew Talbot made a brief return to training on Monday after missing the last two games with a viral infection but has been sent home to fully recover and will miss out once more.

Strikers Sam Parkin and Paul Peschisolido are both out with ankle injuries, defender Paul Underwood remains a long-term absentee with a succession of problems and midfielder Keith Keane is not ready to return from a hernia problem.