Town have confirmed that they will be without loanees Stephen Henderson and Bradley Orr for Saturday’s FA Cup third round tie at Aston Villa. Neither West Ham nor Blackburn have given permission for their players to be involved in the competition.

The Blues’ season-long loanees Daryl Murphy and Guirane N’Daw are both available, while DJ Campbell, who is expected to play for QPR in their tie against West Brom, Danny Higginbotham, who signed for Sheffield United yesterday, and Bilel Mohsni have now left the club.

The absence of Henderson is likely to see Scott Loach return to the side with Arran Lee-Barrett coming into the squad as sub keeper.

Elliott Hewitt looks set to make his first start at right-back in place of Orr, while Michael Chopra will come into the side in Campbell’s absence.

Manager Mick McCarthy may well make other changes, perhaps handing Luke Hyam and Jay Emmanuel-Thomas starts.

Midfielder Andy Drury is a doubt having missed yesterday's game after picking up a virus, while recent signing Tyrone Mings is cup-tied having played in the early stages of the competition.

Photo: Action Images

daniel9624 added 12:26 - Jan 2 Villa are there for the taking at the moment, awful at the back, and struggling to find any results. Great chance for Loach and Hewitt, hope Hyam gets a start too, ahead of NRC. Chopra really has to take this opportunity, wit his experience against such a poor Villa Back four, he should get a goal.
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village_blue added 12:27 - Jan 2 Good news at least we will have to play our own players. In fact what I have seen of Loach and Hewitt I don't think that they are no worse than Henderson and Orr. Also drop Edwards as he has been poor of late.
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tractorblue99 added 12:33 - Jan 2 Good chance for Mick to assess the fringe players. A win isn't expected so it will be good to see a side going out to impress the boss.
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cookra added 13:10 - Jan 2 time for the young lads to step up to the plate and prove what they are made of. Shame Mings isn't eligable too. Hyam, Hewitt and Murray please MM
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taylor15 added 13:12 - Jan 2 come on loach! this is your chance, as we all want you back inbetween the sticks! great chance for hewitt maybe? and would like to see JET get a start, as villa have an awful back four at the minute, with not much experience, and would be get to see JET get at them with his trickery. let's see what terry connor has taught him. COYB!
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bluemikey100 added 13:20 - Jan 2 mick on the bench then
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Sir_Limps_Alot_ITFC added 13:26 - Jan 2 Agree with daniel9624, Villa are there for the taking (although they can feel unfortunate not to take 3 points at Swansea yesterday) and we go to Villa Park with nothing to lose. I'm unsure of Orr personally, but I've heard good things regarding young Hewitt. Should he start, which I hope he does, it's a good opportunity for him to show McCarthy and the fans what he's capable of and maybe make that position his own, although it's early days in his development and maybe next season will be a realistic time for him to be a first team regular. It's also a great opportunity for Loach and Chopra, to show McCarthy what they can do. We're going to miss DJ and the reassurance he gives us of goals, so players like Chopra really need to step up to the mark and prove his worth to McCarthy. McCarthy has spoken highly of Chopra in the past, and we all know that he's a real goal threat at this level when his mind is right. I can't wait for Villa now, it's going to be a great day for all and hopefully we can come away from there with a positive performance and result. COYB!

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dalinghooblue added 13:49 - Jan 2 Team for Saturday! LOACH, HEWITT, CHAMBERS, SMITH, CRESSWELL, JET, HYAM, LAWRENCE, CARSON, MURPHY, CHOPRA/MURRAY. BENCH: ALB, EDWARDS, WHIGHT, N'DAW, DRURY (if fit), CHOPRA/MURRAY, Plus a defensive player. Bit worried about cover for Centre Backs. Only one loanee, and he is season long
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itfc94 added 13:55 - Jan 2 YES, thank god!!! Well, I like Orr, but Hendo is NO better than Loach, come on loachy!!!!
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blueherts added 14:10 - Jan 2 Lawrence and Murray please
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BoxerBlue added 14:17 - Jan 2 IMHO Hendo has been very solid for us recently and does not deserve the criticism he currently gets but anyway its a chance for a few players to step up to the mark and show MM & TC what they can do will be interesting to see if they can
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cookra added 14:24 - Jan 2 @daniel9624 gracious in defeat!
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Michael11 added 14:39 - Jan 2 I'd like to see Loach in goal with Hewitt right back. Two players who are eager to impress, Plus with how young the Aston Villa squad is i don't think it will matter how young Hewitt is on saturday, especially with no pressure on us!
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DiamondGezzer added 15:14 - Jan 2 I think if a few of them don't step up to the plate with Mick and Terry watching on, maybe their time may be up [ ie, Chopra, who I really rate but appears to need 10 chances to put one away now - lets just hope his head and feet are in gear ].
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afrodids added 15:16 - Jan 2 I really hope Loach,Hewitt & Hyam have blinding games so mick can't leave them out for next game. It's time to start playing our players. Orr is ok. Henderson & NRC can go as far as I'm concerned. That's all. COYB cup upset against the vlllians please.
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martleshamitfc added 15:59 - Jan 2 dalinghooblue - we have Jack Ainsley.
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RaymondovicBlue added 16:05 - Jan 2 I don't think people are necessarily criticising Hendo. just saying that he seems to us to be no better than Loach. ... and so why keep a loanee between the sticks who fails to dominate his box and so has little to offer. .... And yes I DO know he's also made some good saves at key moments Come on boys - lets show the Villa what ITFC can do!!!!
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footyblue added 16:23 - Jan 2 my team for Saturday Loach Hewitt Chambers Smith(c) Cresswell Jet N'daw Hyam Martin Murphy Scotland subs ALB murray chopra edwards Drury (if fit) carson Ainsley
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dubblue added 16:35 - Jan 2 After yesterday's performances this match could go either way. Would like to see Scotland get a chance rather than Chops.
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gazmangaz added 17:38 - Jan 2 At least our goal difference wont get even worse when we get another stuffing at Villa !
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Bergholtblue added 17:38 - Jan 2 Dubblue .... I totally agree. Scotland was the pick of the two striking subs yesterday. He may not have pace but his first touch is good and is so hard to knock off the ball. With Murphy's recent improvment in form since playing down the middle, this could be an interesting partnership. And to reiterate some other comments. I have been critical of Henderson in goal, not due to any particular performance but I have been concerned about the position we now find ourselves. i.e having to rely on a goalkeeper lacking in match fitness with not just this Villa match but with a very difficult trip to Cardiff looming.

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masetheace added 17:47 - Jan 2 Speak for yourself taylor15 . Loach was a waste of money . Just because he is a Town fan doesn't make him a good keeper. Give ALB a chance ( also a Town fan !! )
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miltonsnephew added 17:57 - Jan 2 Get Marriott in the squad!!! :)
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Elizabeth added 18:25 - Jan 2 So many posts about what the team should be on Saturday . With DJ gone and some of the players not available,it must be a headache for MM. I am usually forever the optimist but realistically I cannot see us progressing to the next round. I hope that I am wrong but cup upsets are few and far between now unlike the old days when there were at least two or three .Although Villa are struggling in the Premiership , I still think they will have enough quality to win.Let's hope that I am wrong !

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gazhill100 added 18:28 - Jan 2 My team for saturday would be - Loach Hewitt chambers Smith (C) Cresswell Hyam Edwards Ndaw Martin Chopra JET Subs ALB, Murray, Drury, Scotland, Ainsley, Whight, Reo - Coker
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