Boss Mick McCarthy has confirmed that 17-year-old academy scholar Matt Clarke will make his senior debut and striker Jack Marriott his full Town debut in Tuesday’s Capital One Cup first round tie at Crawley (KO 7.45pm). The Blues manager looks set to field a much-changed and inexperienced side with 10 senior players sidelined or not risked due to niggles.

“Matt Clarke will make his debut,which is nice for a 17-year-old,” McCarthy confirmed. “He’s had a really good pre-season and he trains with the first team quite a lot and he copes with that, so I’m looking forward to seeing him.

“He’s starting at left-back, although he’s really a footballing centre-half. We’ve got young Ben Wyatt, who is a left-back, but Matt Clarke is front of him in terms of getting a game and I’m certain he’ll be comfortable there. He’s starting there.

“And there’ll be a number of them on the bench as well, Teddy Bishop and a number of others.”

McCarthy, who also confirmed that Marriott, who has previously made two sub appearances for the Town first team will start, says Jonny Parr and Paul Anderson will again be missing with groin and hamstring injuries respectively.

“Neither of those two will be fit, not for this one,” he said. “It was always going to be Reading for those two, we expect them to train on Thursday.”

As for the players who were involved at the weekend, the Town boss confirmed that several of them would miss out at the Broadfield Stadium: “Skusey has had a scan but I’m not sure of the outcome. He’s got a sore foot and there’s no chance I’m going to risk him if he’s not right.

“Luke Hyam had cramp, Tyrone had cramp and a sore back. David McGoldrick’s got a sore groin, Daryl Murphy got a kick on the calf, Tommy Smith’s got a sore groin which was sore last week. All of those won’t be risked at all.”

Stephen Hunt remains unavailable but McCarthy says the winger is making progress having been hampered by a calf problem throughout pre-season: “I spoke to him this morning when he came in and he’s progressing.

“He’s OK. It’s a deep muscle in the calf and it can be really troublesome as we've found out. He’s getting better.

“What’s nice about Hunty is that he’s fit, we saw last year when he came here. When he does come back it won’t take him long to get up to speed.”

Cameron Stewart remains sidelined with a broken jaw, while McCarthy says Balint Bajner has “tired legs” after Saturday’s games but seems likely to be amongst the subs.

Bartosz Bialkowski looks set to make his Town debut in goal, with Dean Gerken fit but rested, while Alex Henshall also seems likely to make his Blues bow.

Photo: Action Images

Ipswich_Loyal added 13:52 - Aug 11 Go get 'em Jack.
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MarkFish added 13:54 - Aug 11 Good, this cup is a waste of effort, but gr8 to give the others a run out.
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Smithy added 13:55 - Aug 11 Bialkowski Hewitt Chambers Berra Clarke Lawrence Wordsworth Bru Henshall Marriott Nouble Subs: Crowe, Wyatt, Sowunmi, Bishop, McQueen, Bajner, Taylor
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bedsitfc added 13:59 - Aug 11 Up to them to give mick a selection problem for reading
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BlueBoots added 14:01 - Aug 11 Happy with that line-up, Smithy - - except I'd go with Taylor instead of Lawrence as it's a good opportunity to put him in the shop window...
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Bergholtblue added 14:08 - Aug 11 I hope all these injuries are just MM's excuse for playing 'the reserves'. If these players really do have problems it does not bode well for Reading. Bajner has 'tired legs'? Really!!
3

MrBloo added 14:08 - Aug 11 Matt Clarke is a young developing player who has all the hallmarks to go on and make a top class player. It's so refreshing to see players like him given the opportunity to perform at a higher level but like Mings, I don't see him as a full back. What a shame he couldn't play in central defence. As the likes of Berra and Chambers age, the opportunity to play Smith, Mings and Clarke as a back three will open up. Can you imagine: Crowe Hewitt, Clarke, Mings, Smith, Parr Stewart, Hyam, Henshall Marriot, Nooble What an attacking line up that would be.

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mojo added 14:08 - Aug 11 BlueBoots - Would agree but Taylor would then be cup tied so I can't see Mick doing it.
2

Sindre94 added 14:14 - Aug 11 Fantastic, cant wait to go down to crawley tomorrow to see them play.
5

MattinLondon added 14:21 - Aug 11 Phil (or anyone else) Can someone tell me what happened to Byron Lawrence? He was suppose to be one of the better younger players but he isn't really mentioned by MM. I saw him play a few times in the U21, albeit a couple of years ago, and he stood out. Is he still highly thought of? Thanks
2

Lord_Mac added 14:34 - Aug 11 McGoldrick sore groin......? Eeek
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TractorBoyOlly added 14:48 - Aug 11 1 game in and they're already knackered, we need a few more squad players.
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Michael11 added 14:59 - Aug 11 Makes sense. It'd be nice to see Marriott get on the score sheet. I'd think we'll see Taylor come on at some point tomorrow so we can put him in the shop window.
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irishtim added 15:27 - Aug 11 Think this is the way to go. We had a very tough game on saturday. Makes sense to rest players and give the young lads a chance. Young Marriott. Clarke, and Bishop will benefit from this. Would like to see McQueen get a run at some stage.
3

Based_God added 15:48 - Aug 11 Would like to see some of the scholars get a place on the bench like fowler or ford
0

TimmyH added 16:11 - Aug 11 Have struggled to get anywhere the past few years in the Capital Cup, about time we started to take this a bit more seriously, but makes sense to rest players from Saturday although we need some experience in the starting 11.
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floridaboy added 16:19 - Aug 11 Taylor wont be anywhere near the team. MM wants him out so why play him. Still a weakened side but still expect us to win!
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Slambo added 17:17 - Aug 11 JimmyJooJarJee - can't rightly say from the website buh, but I suspect they've still got some kicking round. Sure they would've made an announcement if they'd sold out. You can definitely get them on the turnstiles, it says, so get down there early and you should be alright... £10 a ticket, on a terrace - this is what EVERY game should be like...
1

cornishblu added 17:19 - Aug 11 ...long way to go to see a reserve team but let's hope they all play like they are having fun,,,,.....that way we will see a real attacking and have a go mentality....happy to win 5-4 any day of the week...see you there COYB
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Marcus_Evans added 17:19 - Aug 11 Hope Clarke isn't judged too much at playing LB as he is nothing of the sort! Feel a bit sorry for him to be honest. Reminds me of Keane playing Eastman at RB!
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jas0999 added 17:30 - Aug 11 Not expecting much from this to be honest. Sounds as though Mick isn't too bothered either!
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LWNR2013 added 17:40 - Aug 11 After the effort put in on Sat very sensible to rest. Why cup-tie Taylor, that could be a deal killer?
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TimmyH added 17:43 - Aug 11 @jas - agree, ever since we got to the semi's back in 2010 I really don't believe the club could be bothered with it, just a hindrance which gets in the way of the Championship.
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bluemikey100 added 18:15 - Aug 11 sore groins and tired legs these poor footballers
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muccletonjoe added 18:27 - Aug 11 These lads need to step up. not just to get us through , but because the more games we win in this cup , the more experience these lads will get in the first team. matt Clarke and jack Marriott are more than good enough to make this chance count. come on you boys,
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