Martin Allen says former Barnet manager John Still, currently in charge of Saturday’s opponents Luton Town, helped the current Bees boss win promotion by aiding his recruitment last season.

On Saturday the Bees make the short trip up the M1 to face the Hatters at Kenilworth Road, looking for their first ever win against the Bedfordshire outfit.

Still managed Barnet between 1997 and 2000 before stepping aside to become director of football when former West Ham United and Everton striker Tony Cottee was appointed player-manager.

However, when Cottee’s ill-fated spell ended, Still stepped back into the hot seat as the Bees slumped into the Conference for the first time in a decade.

And looking ahead to Saturday’s meeting against 13th-placed Town, Allen revealed the help Still had given him in preparing Barnet’s successful assault on the Conference last season – the Hatters having won the title the previous year.

He told Bees Player: “John is a very good manager. He brings in really good players. He helped me the previous summer to help put together that team to win that championship.

“Hours and hours I sat in his office, going through his dossiers on players that were available that we might need or sign. He’s been really good to me.”

Allen continued: “They (Luton) were very unlucky last year. They had a lot of injuries which knocked their form.

“But we know John’s teams. They are always honest, always hard working and play some good football. I went to watch them at Dagenham & Redbridge and they have some good players.”

Allen has no fresh injuries to contend with, though there is improved news on forward Kevin Lisbie who is edging towards a first team return.

Physiotherapist Luigi Cerullo said: “Kevin Lisbie is close to coming back soon. He’s worked extremely hard again and he’s pushing himself every day.”

There was praise too for his former Leyton Orient teammate, Shaun Batt.

“Shaun Batt played in Saturday’s fixture and again he’s done really well and he’s pushing himself exceptionally hard,” said Cerullo. “From when he came in in pre-season to this point he’s improved.”

Centre-back Bira Dembele (knee) and goalkeeper Graham Stack (groin) will both miss out once more, though.

The Hatters could call upon Reading loanee Sean Long and winger Paddy McCourt despite the pair being selected to represent their respective nations during the international break.

Long is in Ireland’s Under-21 squad for their European Championships qualifier against Lithuania today whilst McCourt is in the senior Northern Irish setup for a friendly with Latvia in Belfast.

Yet both could be back in time to take on the Bees the following day.

Nathan Doyle (ankle) and Pelly Ruddock Mpanzu (ankle) are both out whilst Craig Mackail-Smith (hamstring) is a doubt.

Veteran striker Paul Benson (neck) has suffered no ill effects from his cameo in a 2-1 win at Crawley Town last weekend and could be in contention.