Luton understand 'implications' of Derby game - Bloomfield

Matt Bloomfield left Wycombe Wanderers to become Luton Town boss

Luton Town boss Matt Bloomfield has dismissed the idea of having a survival points target as they look to avoid back-to-back relegations.

The Hatters are three points from safety with just four Championship games left to play this season.

And it is therefore crucial that they find a way to win on Friday at Derby County, the team immediately above the Championship relegation places, before tackling play-off hopefuls Bristol City at home on Monday.

"We understand the situation we're in and the work we need to do this weekend and we're ready to go," Bloomfield told BBC Three Counties Radio.

"We have to make sure we do the first job before we worry about Monday. The position we're in, and Derby's, we understand how big the game is, what implications it can have for our season."

After a dreadful away record under former boss Rob Edwards earlier in the season, Luton have taken seven points from their past three games on the road.

But their progress was undermined by last weekend's 1-0 home defeat by Blackburn Rovers.

"If you look at the Championship, at both ends of the table there's so much to play for still with four games to go. It's why it's such an exciting league," said Bloomfield.

"Nothing is decided (on Friday), we can't be too anxious about the situation, we have to be calm and we have to go and deliver.

"Good Luton teams leave everything out on the pitch and that's what we need to do. We have to be at it, we have to be on the front foot, we have to impose ourselves on the game and character and personality are going to be crucial in that. We need our big players to step up."

They are short of forward players, with Jacob Brown and Elijah Adebayo ruled out for the rest of the season.

The Hatters have therefore recalled Oli Lynch from a loan spell with Hemel Hempstead, where he scored eight goals in 17 appearances, and he could play a part in their remaining fixtures.

Lynch signed a new, undisclosed-length contract on Friday and Bloomfield said: "He's still got a lot to learn but we felt that for the last couple of weeks of the season it would be sensible to have him around and ready to contribute, should he be required.

"He's got physicality, he can run beyond, he can get on the end of crosses, he can finish. I don't want to heap too much expectation on him but he's a forward who wants to score goals."

Following the Easter games, Luton will finish the season against tough West Midlands opposition with a home game against Coventry City on 26 April and a visit to West Bromwich Albion on 3 May.