FORMER York City midfielder Jonathan Smith will return to Luton Town’s starting line-up for tomorrow’s home meeting with his old club.

Smith was one of six changes Hatters boss John Still made to his starting line-up for Tuesday night’s 2-1 Johnstone’s Paint Trophy defeat at Gillingham.

But the Preston-born, 28-year-old, who has netted four times this season including in his last two appearances and won two Player of the Year awards at Kenilworth Road last term, will be back to face City, where he spent two spells either side of a League Two title-winning campaign at Swindon.

The combative Smith is just one yellow card away from incurring a suspension whilst he is unlikely to be joined in midfield by another ex-Minsterman.

Alex Lawless was given his first start of an injury-plagued season at Gillingham but is expected to return to the bench this weekend.

Along with his six changes, Still only played regulars Oliver Lee, Cameron McGeehan, Luke Guttridge and Scott Griffiths for 45 minutes apiece at the Priestfield Stadium.

They will all feature from the kick off against City, while Luke Wilkinson, Steve McNulty and Scott Cuthbert are also poised to return after being rested completely, like Smith, in midweek.

But the Hatters will be without injured pair Paul Benson (neck) and Stephen O’Donnell (ankle), while winger Paddy McCourt is away on international duty with Northern Ireland.

Former Scotland international Craig Mackail-Smith – the hosts’ marquee summer signing – is also doubtful after exiting the action at Hartlepool on 28 minutes with a hamstring problem.

Mackail-Smith, 31, has netted three times since his move from Championship table-toppers Brighton.

As a consequence, the side’s six-goal top marksman Jack Marriott is set to be handed his first league start of the season.

The 21-year-old, former Ipswich striker hit the target twice as Mackail-Smith’s replacement in Hartlepool and Luton have only failed to score in one of their 15 games this season, making them the Football League’s second-highest marksmen with a tally of 21 goals placing them just one behind Gillingham.

After a slow start to the season, Still’s side have also moved up to tenth following a run of four straight victories.

The 1988 League Cup winners have won their last three home matches, meanwhile, against Wimbledon (2-0), Mansfield (1-0) and Leyton Orient (2-1).

Luton (probable): Tyler, Cuthbert, Wilkinson, McNulty, Griffiths, McGeehan, Smith, Guttridge, Lee, McQuoid, Marriott.