League Two Preview: Whitlow takes charge of Burton, Luton eye eight in a row

Mike Whitlow will take charge of Burton Albion for Saturday’s visit of Plymouth Argyle after Gary Rowett’s departure for Birmingham City.

Rowett ended a lengthy association with Burton, which saw him serve as player, assistant boss and manager, to join Championship outfit Birmingham on Monday.

The 40-year-old left Burton third in the fourth tier following consecutive play-off finishes and the initial responsibility of ensuring that success continues will fall on academy coach Whitlow.

He will be tasked with helping Burton get back to winning ways after mixed recent form that has seen them win just two of their last five league outings.

Whitlow, who insists he has no desire to take permanent control of first-team affairs, is aware of the threat posed by a Plymouth side unbeaten in six.

“It’s an opportunity to come and work with the first team to hopefully get a result this weekend,” he told the Burton Mail.

“It’s a very, very difficult game because they’re on a bit of a roll under John Sheridan.

“For myself, I’ll look after it for the time being while the chairman looks for someone to come in. I’m going to approach it with a smile on my face and will get the players smiling.

“I said I’ll do it for the short-term. It’s not something I want to do for the long-term.”

With Burton losing at Stevenage last time out and Wycombe Wanderers going down to Dagenham and Redbridge, Luton Town were able to move top.

John Still’s side take on Exeter City in search of an eighth consecutive league victory, while second-placed Wycombe travel to struggling Oxford United.

Paul Murray will go in search of a first win in charge of Hartlepool United at the second attempt, with Newport County the visitors to Victoria Park, and Tranmere Rovers host Stevenage having moved off the bottom last week.

Former Northampton Town favourite Adebayo Akinfenwa returns to Sixfields with AFC Wimbledon, while Carlisle United make the long trip south to Portsmouth.

Friday’s only fixture sees a Lancashire derby between play-off chasing Morecambe and Accrington Stanley – Jim Bentley’s side looking to get back on track after slipping to eighth with defeat to Exeter last time out.

Southend United and Shrewsbury Town are on the road with trips to Mansfield Town and Dagenham and Redbridge respectively.

Elsewhere, York City will go in search of their first win under Russ Wilcox at Cheltenham Town and fifth-placed Bury host mid-table Cambridge United, having not lost at Gigg Lane in the league since the opening day of the season.