SOUTHEND United’s assistant manager Dave Penney knows only too well how Luton Town’s current momentum will make them tough to beat this weekend.

The Hatters are enjoying a solid start to the League Two season after winning the Conference last term.

And, having experienced such a rise during his time in charge of Doncaster Rovers, Penney feels Luton will be full of confidence ahead of tomorrow’s clash.

“You get that momentum behind you and you get used to winning,” said Penney.

“When I was at Doncaster we came up from the Conference and then went on to win the league the following season as well.

“You get on a roll and it’s hard for it to be stopped.

“Luton also have a wily old manager in John Still and some good players too so we know we’re in for a test this weekend.

“But it’s one we’re looking forward to, especially as there’s likely to be a big crowd.”

Blues head in to the game looking to bounce back from last weekend’s disappointing 1-0 defeat to Morecambe.

The narrow reverse at Roots Hall kept the Shrimpers fourth in the standings.

But Penney was keen to remain upbeat.

“We’ve taken 12 points from 15 and if we keep that kind of ratio going we will be right up there,” said the 50-year-old.

“We’ve worked the players hard in training but we’ve also watched the DVD of the Morecambe game and with the chances we had we could definitely have taken something from it.

“If we keep on creating that number of chances then we will definitely score goals and that definitely has to be the aim for us tomorrow.”

Penney also insists it has been business as usual for Blues ahead of the trip to Kenilworth Road, despite the ongoing speculation surrounding the future of manager Phil Brown.

The former Hull City chief continues to be linked with a switch to Bolton Wanderers despite both him and the club insisting there has been no contact with the Trotters.

But Penney claimed this week’s focus had solely been on beating Luton and he has not even asked Brown if he might be leaving.

“Speculation comes and goes in football all the time and I’ve not even asked the manager once about Bolton to be honest,” said Penney.

“All we’re thinking about is our game tomorrow and making sure we come back home with a good result.”

Blues have striker Barry Corr available again after he recovered from a knee injury while midfielder Ryan Leonard is also back in contention after shaking off a hamstring problem.