Boro boss Graham Westley has backed Luton Town boss Mick Harford to prove a success at Kenilworth Road ahead of tonight s local derby between the two sides. Town s 4-3 win against Cambridge United at the weekend has kept some of Harford s doubters at bay

Boro boss Graham Westley has backed Luton Town boss Mick Harford to prove a success at Kenilworth Road ahead of tonight's local derby between the two sides.

Town's 4-3 win against Cambridge United at the weekend has kept some of Harford's doubters at bay for another week but the 50-year-old has come in for a lot of criticism this season from the club's supporters for some of his tactics.

Westley, however, believes Harford has got the full backing of his squad having watched them on several occasions this season.

"I went and watched them earlier on in the season and they played some fantastic football against Crawley - probably as good performance from a Conference side as I've ever seen," said Westley.

"Mick Harford is an experienced campaigner and his lads are clearly right behind him. You could see the way they were playing for him when I was there."

While Westley believes his Luton counterpart has got the credentials to pilot a path back into the Football League for the Hatters, the Boro chief will be looking to get one over the club's promotion rivals tonight (Tuesday).

"I know it's a difficult place to go. They have got some great players at this level and I'm sure their club is full of desire and expectation to bounce back to the Football League at the first attempt.

"They have settled in, in reasonable fashion. It's not easy to come down and start winning all your games.

"It's a difficult place to go but we love upsetting the odds - it's what we are all about.

"We love the challenge and we will be relishing the opportunity on Tuesday."

Westley is hopeful that Joel Byrom could come back into the reckoning after missing out on the 1-1 draw against Altrincham but long term absentees David Bridges, Ronnie Henry and Jon Ashton are all still out.

"The treatment room is a busy place right now. Unfortunately one or two of them are more longer term that we would have liked," added Westley.

"It's unlikely that we will have any big players back for Tuesday. Maybe it's touch and go with Joel - he may be available.

"We've got one or two out at the moment. It's not an issue when you look at the names we can still put out on the team-sheet but when they are not fit and they haven't played for four or five weeks it's very difficult for them.

"We must be patient with them and give them the support they need while we get our XI back together.