Town take on Manchester United in an U16 friendly at Portman Road this evening (KO 7.30pm). The match is a chance to see the next generation of academy youngsters in action on the main pitch for the first time.

The side will include the likes of Billy Clark and Luke Hyam, players who will be joining the academy full-time from the summer.

It's the third game the academy have played against a young Red Devils team in recent years with Sammy Morgan, the academy's head of education, the man behind the matches, having previously organised similar games during his time with Norwich's youth set-up.

The matches have already given many fans a first glimpse of stars of the future, the 2006 U15 clash seeing Jordan Rhodes hit a hat-trick in a 6-2 win with Jack Ainsley, Joe Bloomfield and Jai Reason also on the scoresheet.

Last season, an U14 side lost 4-3 to the Premier League club, Connor Wickham, who is also likely to be in tonight's team, scoring twice and Adam Heaslip once.

Prior to the game, academy players from the U9 to U14 age groups will take part in a skills sessions from 6.45pm. Turnstiles open at 6.30pm with only the Britannia Stand in use.

Photo: Action Images

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