Darlington manager Dave Penney has challenged his players to stake their place in the absence of Lichtenstein international Franz Burgmeier.

The influential Burgmeier will miss Saturday's trip to Luton while he represents his country and Penney has urged his squad to fill the gap.

"We've got players who can come in," he told BBC Tees.

"It's their chance to show what they can do while Franz is away on international duty."

In a normal League Two season a side of the calibre of Luton Town would be in the top half of the table staking their place for promotion.

But with a 30-point penalty hanging over the club for off-the-field affairs, they currently lie 19 points adrift of safety and Penney has great sympathy for manager Mick Harford in this instance.

It's frustrating as a manager, there's nothing you can do when these things happen Dave Penney on the plight of Luton boss Mick Harford

"It's a false league in the respect that teams on minus points are not bad sides," he said.

"It's frustrating I would think as a manager, there's nothing you can do when these things happen.

"You just have to do deal with them and fair play to these teams and players they've just got on with it."

Darlington are currently 10th in League Two, two points off a play-off place, while Luton lie adrift at the foot of the table on minus 18 points.