Blues boss Paul Jewell says Town’s younger players such as Luke Hyam, Josh Carson, Jack Ainsley and Byron Lawrence won’t feature in tonight’s home game against Birmingham but could play in the season’s final two matches against Millwall and Doncaster.

The Town manager says that with the Midlanders in the play-off shake-up he’ll be fielding his strongest possible side this evening: “We’ve got to be fair to everyone else as well as ourselves.

"There will be some changes for Millwall and Doncaster because Millwall are safe and Doncaster are relegated.

“We will be taking those games very seriously, but there might be one or two inclusions of young players.

“Luke, Josh and Jack Ainsley, they’re all terrific pros and hopefully they can get a game before now and the end of the season.”

Lawrence spent the last two weeks with the first team squad at Playford Road and was with them once more yesterday: “He trained with us again [on Monday] morning. He’s done fine, but what you have to remember is that he’s only 16. I think he’s got a lot of attributes but we have to be careful that we don’t knock him back.

“I don’t want to say too much because he’ll probably read the papers and he’ll think he’s going to be in the team. I want to try and keep it as low key as possible if we do play him. There’s no guarantees that he’s going to play but he’s not fazed by training with the first team.”

Lawrence was previously on the bench for the Carling Cup tie against Northampton and warmed up with the senior squad before the recent home game against Leicester.

Left-back Joe Whight, 18, broke into the first team squad last season but is still to make his senior debut.

Jewell says the former Copleston High School pupil may have a chance of being involved in the final two games, although his season hasn't gone entirely to plan: “I think Joe has found it tough at times this year. We stepped him up from scholar to a pro and he’ll be better when he comes back next season. He’ll know exactly what’s expected of him.

“We’ve got high hopes for Joe but this season for different reasons he just hasn’t really got into a rhythm, which sometimes can happen with young players.

“In training and in matches for the reserves and the youth team, he just hasn’t quite lived up to his expectations, but I’m sure with a year under his belt knowing what it’s like to be a pro, he’ll be far better and we’re hoping that Joe one day will be pushing Cressy to get in the team.”

Photo: Action Images

Photo: Action Images

DiamondGezzer added 07:11 - Apr 17 I think he will have to go some to push Aaron out of the team, but let's hope he keeps Aaron on his toes.
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WarkyWonderLand added 07:31 - Apr 17 Disappointing regarding hyam and with jewells comments. He was part of the reason why we went on a run to take us out of a relegation battle and possibly save his job. North stand should give a rendition of there's only one Luke hyam. Instead we will be paying money to see leadboots and Murphy who won't be here next season. Fear Birmingham maybe too strong for us tonight. Coyb

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Karlosfandangal added 08:40 - Apr 17 Would like us to keep Murphy for next season even if its a season long loan, Keane played Hyam for 11 games and then dropped him, now Jewell has done the same. Wonder why something must not be right during training
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Mick_Mills_Tache added 09:36 - Apr 17 Warkywonderland....why just the North Stand? If you want action, why not do something about it rather than leave it up to other people. PR is a library now and people look towards the North lower to sort it....need other stands to do more about it rather than sit there under their blankets eating their prawn sarnies. Rant over. In respect to youngsters, Jewell is in a catch 22...he's damned if he does and damned if he doesn't. If he played youngsters and we lost (particularly against Brum) Most people would moan at the likely thumping we'd be given and say it isn't good enough....leave a few senior members on the bench against Millwall and Donny and play them then. Spot on Jewell.

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tractorboy2434 added 09:42 - Apr 17 I think Celtic will be glad to keep Murphy off the wage bill but its going to be difficult to pay him what he expects, as for the kids they will get a chance off the bench in the last 2 games, as previously stated be lucky to see any more than another 3-4 points, nothing tonight against Brum I fear.
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Kesgraveblue57 added 09:42 - Apr 17 It was stated only last week by Mr Jewell we will use fringe players against Crystal Palace this just never happened, the kids can't play against Birmingham as we would break the league rules of a weaken side
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BlueBadger added 09:48 - Apr 17 Bet Bowyer plays in all of them.
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tractorboy2434 added 09:53 - Apr 17 I cannot see a problem with them playing against Millwall and Donny, ideal games I would have thought, but cannot fathom why he continues with Bowyer and Leadbitter, one is going and the other will too hopefully
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newboy added 09:57 - Apr 17 PJ you would not know talent if it walked into the training ground with a sign round it's neck you have carson and hyam who are worth far more than the oap's you play and then you have Wight your choice of pro who looks out of his depth even in an U18 game and then you have Lawrence who you are at great pains to promote to pretend you are interested in the youth but he also looked poor in the youth cup and in following games but at least unlike wight he has his age as an excuse. Time to stop chatting and do the job or leave it to someone who can

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TractorMan added 11:07 - Apr 17 If I was Luke or Josh i'd be insulted to be included in the same category as Ainsley!! Ainsley has had his chances and is clearly not good enough at this level and at 21 is not a kid. He should be an established first teamer if he was good enough, but he isn't. Not good enough for non-league after spells there cut short too. If Ainsley plays, it will be a severely weakened back 4, especially if they try and play him at CB. At best he is a non-league level RB but never ever a CB.

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Dozzells_Bobblehat added 12:02 - Apr 17 Kesgrave - nope PJ said fringe players would get their chance before the end of the season and in fact hinted that it wouldnt be against Palace or tonight. newboy - so if we sack PJ who are u wanting to replace him ?
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Paulc added 12:17 - Apr 17 We HAVE to put out our strongest side for the last 3 games cos I've got a tenner with a Derby fan we'll finish higher than them, so all to play for COYB!
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BergholtBru added 12:29 - Apr 17 Paulc, you should worry. Iv`e got £50 with a Leeds fan.
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bluepirate added 12:30 - Apr 17 Kesgrave, firstly PJ said the youngsters would get a chance by the end of the season, not in a particular game until now. What would be the point throwing them in against a very tough Brum team chasing promotion? Secondly, there are no longer rules on playing weakened teams. They were abandoned last summer due to clubs power. Clubs have a squad of 25 senior players and you can use any of them you want. Newboy, you really talk rubbish lad. PJ hasn't shown a lot yet, but let's see where we are next Christmas, you might be eating those words. He did a fantastic job at Wigan and discovered certain talents such as Valencia ect, not bad players and I don't think he walked around with a sign saying he was talent. Finally, good move by PJ. Poor season so let's look forward. No point playing young lads against Brum, they are too strong, the Millwall and Donny will be like two early pre season games. No time to look back, time to kick onwards and upwards.

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bluetown added 16:59 - Apr 17 Newboy, i presume you are related to one of the boys released this year, you sound very bitter. Your opinion of players is only relevant to you, football is a great game but a sh@t business.
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Suffolk_n_Good added 18:21 - Apr 17 All for it, give them a go!
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