Gillingham play Luton Town at redeveloped Kenilworth Road in the Carabao Cup but focus is on weekend League 2 clash at Grimsby

A Tuesday night match against Premier League opponents isn’t the focus for Gillingham this week.

The Gills head to Luton Town in the second round of the Carabao Cup but it’s a league game at Grimsby that will be at the forefront of manager Neil Harris’ thinking.

Gillingham’s players will be eager to shake off the 3-0 weekend home loss against Colchester United and winning at Grimsby will be just the tonic. Luton will be a night to enjoy.

Harris said: “(It’s an) absolute free hit for the lads to go and enjoy it, playing against a Premier League opponent, an opportunity for the lads to go and give a good account of themselves, as we did against Southampton, as we did against Brentford and Wolves last year and Leicester at home (in the FA Cup).

“Is it a game we need this week? Probably not, however, I will make changes for the game and freshen the side up and we go to be competitive but the full focus is on Grimsby and getting back to winning ways.”

A trip to Premier League newcomers is Gillingham’s reward for their memorable win over Southampton in the opening round.

Harris added: “It is another opportunity for us to go and challenge, for the players to test themselves and challenge themselves against a Premier League opponent.”

The Gills won at top-flight side Brentford last season and then gave a good account of themselves against Wolves.

Gillingham’s ticket allocation for the match was quickly sold out.

Luton have started their season in the top-flight with defeats at Brighton (4-1) and Chelsea (3-0). Their home game with Burnley was postponed to allow the club extra time to complete extensive redevelopment works at Kenilworth Road, to bring the ground up to Premier League specifications.

The construction of a new stand