PETER JACKSON today drilled his existing squad for battle against Luton as plans for a loan signing remained up in the air.

Town have until noon on Saturday to draft in a loan defender, but Jackson is unlikely to wait beyond tomorrow if his efforts to land a Premiership player receive a knock-back.

Jackson has dropped his interest in the Championship defender who was on his list and, before today's training session, outlined his thinking as Town bid for a first League double over free-scoring Luton in more than half a century (1952-3).

"I'm completely up in the air on the signings front and it's been probably the most frustrating two weeks I've had as a manager," said Jackson today.

"Despite having two players gauranteed, neither of them has materialised and, in those circumstances, you would reasonably expect to get at least one of them.

"All I can do is hope my luck changes. I'm expecting to hear from a Premiership club and, in the meantime, I'll prepare with the lads here for what will be a great battle.

"We are desperate for a win and there is no bigger and better test for us than playing the top of the League side.

"I'm glad it's Luton and not someone in mid-table or towards the bottom. When you are looking to bounce back, these big games are always the best."

Town will aim to squeeze the life out of Mike Newell's dangerous side, who have lost just twice in 17 outings but who were beaten by a fine Junior Mendes double down at Kenilworth Road in October.

Town remain the only side to have beaten Luton on their home soil all season and Jackson is looking for his midfield - led by Jon Worthington - and the strikers to `close down' the opposition on Saturday and help the defence anchor a repeat.

"We have to defend solidly from the front, something we did really well down at Luton," explained Jackson.

"I've talked about Walsall's wonder strikes from Merson and Fryatt in the first half last week and you have to say the quality was superb, but our midfield should still have been closer to them.

"And while the ball was rolling for Merson's free-kick which led to the penalty, we should also have been a lot tighter and switched on defensively.

"Then the final goal came from our free-kick breaking down and Walsall going the length of the pitch, which was very disappointing to see, so we've got to brush up on all of that."

Jackson had Nathan Clarke at the centre of planning and was hoping the centre-back wouldn't suffer a recurrence of the groin injury which has kept him out two matches.