Town boss Jim Magilton has selection dilemmas throughout his side as the Blues travel to Burnley for their first away game of the season. New signing Ben Thatcher is set to make his debut at left-back as Town look to win their first league points of the season.

The Blues will be without right-back David Wright due to an ankle ligament injury sustained during the 2-1 defeat to Preston a week ago. The former Wigan man is set to undergo a scan to assess the extent of the damage.

Alex Bruce looks the most likely replacement, having been Town's regular right-back prior to Wright's recruitment in January 2007, however, Chris Casement was used in that role in the Carling Cup tie against Leyton Orient and Jaime Peters was given a number of run-outs at full-back during pre-season.

Bruce's likely use at right-back means Magilton will have to choose between Tommy Smith and Richard Naylor for the second central defensive role alongside first team captain Gareth McAuley. Thatcher will make his debut on the left with Richard Wright returning in goal. Pim Balkestein looks set to drop to the bench.

The trip to Turf Moor is likely to come too early for Iván Campo's Town debut, so Magilton has only Owen Garvan, Veliche Shumulikoski, Tommy Miller and Liam Trotter from whom to pick his central midfield pairing. The former two are likely to get the nod.

For the wide roles, Alan Quinn will probably be on the left with Danny Haynes on the right after his two-goal performance against Orient in midweek.

Magilton says David Norris will be left behind after returning to action as a sub against Orient after his latest heel injury: "After the elation of playing on Tuesday we want to give him a rest and then give David a game in the reserves [at home to Peterborough United] on Tuesday.”

Up front, Jon Walters could replace Pablo Couñago alongside Kevin Lisbie, Magilton having criticised the Spaniard's below par performance after last week's defeat to Preston. Alan Lee will also be looking for some involvement, while Jordan Rhodes is also likely to be in the squad.

After Town failed to win a game on the road until the trip to Sheffield Wednesday in February last season, Magilton is looking to get early away points on the board this time around: "Points would be very handy away from home. We proved last season that you can't be so successful at home and not pick many points up away and still expect to be promoted.

"It's very important that we get points on the board and it would be wonderful to come away with something from Burnley.”

The Clarets' season got off to dreadful start a week ago when the lost 4-1 at Sheffield Wednesday. They managed a 2-0 win in the Carling Cup at Bury in midweek, but were unconvincing. However, new signing Martin Paterson, a player linked with the Blues on a few occasions, has netted all three of their goals.

Boss Owen Coyle is aiming to get his side's league season up and running on Saturday: "It's our first game at home and a chance for the fans to get behind us and hopefully we will reward them with three points. Saturday gives us the opportunity to get up and running.

"The fans were brilliant at Bury this week, singing their hearts out, and the players responded to that.

"We'll get more of that on Saturday I'm sure and I want the players to go and reward the fans with three points.

"There is no doubt it will be a tough game because there are no easy games in the Championship.

"We have to be at out very best to win games and that's a collective effort from back to front. We will look to do that on Saturday and try to kick on from there.

"Ipswich were very unfortunate to lose at home on Saturday. By all accounts they dominated the game and lost to a couple of wonder goals. We know they are a very good side who have invested heavily in their squad.

"I have no doubts that come the end of the season, Ipswich will be up around the top six. They have some very talented players and the match has all the makings of a good game."

Coyle can call on central defender Clarke Carlisle after suspension, while midfielder Kevin McDonald, a summer signing from Dundee, is closing in on a return to first team action.

Other close season recruits include midfielder Remco van der Schaaf, who joined from Vitesse Arnhem in his native Holland, Norwegian left-back Christian Kalvenes from Dundee United and former Manchester United winger Chris Eagles.

Town have had the better of the Clarets over the years, winning 14 games (13 in the league), drawing eight (eight) and losing nine (nine). The Blues last won at Turf Moor back in the 2003/04 season when two goals from Darren Bent secured a 2-0 victory.

Last season, the Blues were prevented from picking up their first away win of the season at Burnley by referee Colin Webster disallowing Pablo Couñago's clearly onside late goal.

Boss Jim Magilton was subsequently fined by the FA for using abusive and/or insulting words to the official in comments made after the game. At Portman Road in December the sides played out a 0-0 draw.

Town striker Alan Lee was with the Clarets between 1999 and 2000, while Dean Bowditch had a spell on loan at Turf Moor in 2005. Former Town loanee Alan Mahon is in the Burnley squad.

Saturday's referee is Tony Bates from Staffordshire, who showed 85 yellow and two red cards in 36 games last season. Bates's last Town game was the 0-0 home draw with Plymouth in January, while he was also in charge of the 1-0 defeat at Cardiff a month earlier.

Likely squad: Wright, Supple, Bruce, Thatcher, Casement, Balkestein, McAuley, Smith, Naylor, Garvan, Shumulikoski, Miller, Trotter, Quinn, Haynes, Walters, Lisbie, Lee, Couñago, Rhodes.

Photo: Action Images

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