Town boss Mick McCarthy says he would have no hesitation in giving 17-year-old right-back Josh Emmanuel his first-team debut if he is needed when the Blues take on Brentford in their season opener at Griffin Park on Saturday.

Emmanuel, who turns 18 later this month, has been involved with the senior squad throughout pre-season and started Saturday’s final friendly at home to Dutch side FC Utrecht, which ended in a 1-1 draw.

The Londoner could be in line for his competitive debut against the Bees next weekend with skipper and regular right-back Luke Chambers set to move into the middle of the defence as cover for Christophe Berra, who is suspended for one match following his play-off red card, and with versatile full-back Jonny Parr a doubt with a niggly thigh problem.

“Not at all, none whatsoever,” McCarthy said when asked whether he would have any qualms about fielding Emmanuel at Brentford. “That’s why I played him [against Utrecht] and if that’s what happens he’ll play, if he needs to play.

“He’s not built like an 18-year-old stripling of a kid, he’s built like a bloke, he’s got a pair of shoulders on him. Nobody will do him for pace, nobody will do him for physique, strength.

“He’s a young lad and for their goal, I thought he should have defended it better. But isn’t it better for that to happen there and if he’s learnt from that then, brilliant, because he won’t let it happen again.

“The big striker [Sebastien Haller] that scored is a good player, we’re comparing apples and pears between him and Josh coming out of the youth team. I was delighted with him and I have been all pre-season, I think he’s going to be a good player for us.”

Even if Emmanuel doesn’t play against the Bees, the teenager could make his senior bow in next Tuesday’s Capital One Cup tie at home to Stevenage when the likes of Adam McDonnell and Josh Yorwerth could also be handed their debuts.

Meanwhile, Leyton Orient boss Ian Hendon says he expects Jobi McAnuff, who was linked with the Blues last week, to stay with his League Two side.

"He's played six games for Jamaica over the summer. He played 80 minutes yesterday for us and got kicked from pillar to post,” Hendon told the Waltham Forest Guardian. “He got up and got on with it for the same reason as Alan Dunne.

"He's played a lot of football, is fit and ready to go so as far as I'm concerned he's in the building and at the moment he's part of the squad. Unless I'm told otherwise or anything else happens he's here."

Elsewhere, Blues derby legend Danny Haynes has joined Vanarama National League South side Ebbsfleet. The 27-year-old left Cheltenham after a short spell at the end of last season.

Photo: Action Images

tractorboy12341234 added 12:17 - Aug 3 This guy has an element of mings about him, he will be a big player for us!
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ArnieM added 12:29 - Aug 3 He reminds me far more of Titus Bramble regarding his build, strength, and power. But significantly has far more nounce and awareness of whats going on around him than Titus ever did. This is yet another example of just how superior our Academy is to that tin pot club up the road. Cat one means sod all in terms of guaranteed player deveopment and meaningful progression to the First team level. Scum may well have a cat one academy but virtually none of their kids make their senior team. Its not the status of cat one, its the calibre of coaching staff and meaningful pathway to the senior team that counts. ITFC are doing this time and again.

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PJH added 12:36 - Aug 3 I have not seen Josh Emmanuel play but I remember seeing Titus make his debut at Sheff Utd-Titus was immense in all senses that day,if Josh plays I hope his debut is as good as that. Sounds like it is only a matter of time before he gets his chance of a breakthrough anyway.
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jas0999 added 12:55 - Aug 3 Good news if McAnuff stays at Leyton Orient. We need better. Although I wish Emmnual all the best of luck in the world, I remain disappointed that we may start a new season without enough experienced defenders. Mings money, savings on wages and three months is surely enough time to ensure we have enough senior defenders and frankly not unreasonable to expect the club to strengthen the defence and spend a little money. We have needed a right back for years. Appreciate Berra only out for one game, but we need to hit the ground running and starting with an inexperienced youngster in a game as tough as Brentford seems overly risky to me. Parr see,evtoo injury prone, so where are the other options?

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bluefeast added 13:02 - Aug 3 He was decent on Saturday ,natural attacking instinct too. Have faith ,Mings was mistake prone in half the matches he played ,not least that ill fated play off second leg. We then sell him for 8 million , which I'm still stunned about.
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muccletonjoe added 13:08 - Aug 3 Have only seen emmanuel play for the under 18s, but I remember he stood out in that team as someone who could come through, hope mick gives him a chance, very often the sink or swim scenario produces the best players
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Sir_Bob added 13:08 - Aug 3 I like this lad. I watched him in Dussedorf & was twice as good as the other full backs who played that night, Kenlock, Hammond & Tabb. Inexperience may count against him, but it hasn't stopped Bishop.
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1RWR added 13:09 - Aug 3 Danny Haynes to Ebbsfleet, I thought he was 1st team material a few years ago, great shame. Never forget his winning goal up at scumsville. All the best Danny boy!
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topguy added 13:15 - Aug 3 Id be happy to start with the youngster, the main reason for cat one, is not the amount of players its scouting range under cat2 we can only scout local and the quality of teams they play, playing utd and Chelsea youngsters is a better challenge than who they play now, and then would have played better players before joining first team.
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Slambo added 13:18 - Aug 3 ArnieM - absolutely spot on mate. Ipswich is THE football factory of East Anglia - Norwich ought to take up Rugby or something. Can someone tell me how players either from Ipswich or their academy have played in the top 2 divisions in, say, the last 25 years? And then compare that to Budgietown? I rest my case...
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Tractorog added 13:50 - Aug 3 Josh Emmanuel is good and the positive comments about our academy are true, but he is young and will make mistakes. It would not surprise me if Mick is saying this because he is in negotiations for a right back. Do you remember how Paul Jewell could not keep quiet about negotiations and every time he opened his mouthy he put the price up?... Well Mick knows how to do the opposite. Yes I know we have options at RB, but none of them are without issues. A new RB would strengthen the squad more than an 18 year old regardless of talent.

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solemio added 13:56 - Aug 3 Modern misuse of the word legend. Haynes is not a legend. Scoring a couple of goals against Norwich does not a legend make. A legend is someone who has been so outstandingly good that you can hardly believe it can have been true. Crawford, Philips, Beattie, Wark, Muhren, Stewart - they are legends.
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flashblue added 14:05 - Aug 3 Blimey, we have three options at rightback, in Chambers, Parr and Emmanuel - how many more do people want? I would rather have another rock at Centre back than another right back.
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BlueandTruesince82 added 14:25 - Aug 3 Crickey, where did it all go wrong for Danny Haynes, he should not be dropping into non league at 27, that is simply redonk!! Hope he gets back to the player he once was
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bringbacktheglory added 16:13 - Aug 3 solemio, he was certainly a derby day legend! I made that mistake until I took a second look and realised it said derby...
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bringbacktheglory added 16:17 - Aug 3 I don't really understand the issue everyone has with right back. Personally, I would love to see Chambers and Berra at centre back together, however Mick prefers to use all three and for that reason I can't argue. We did get into the playoffs with Chambers at right back and now we have introduced much more attacking wingers I honestly don't see a problem with having Chambers at right back.

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ArnieM added 16:46 - Aug 3 Could we do 3 at the back? Chambo....Berra......Jonas AMN................................................Fraser
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strikalite added 18:12 - Aug 3 Very impressed with Josh at Posh friendly as I posted in the forum, if you're good enough you're old enough as they say, strong and good on the ball, I'd love to see this lad given his chance, great boost for all connected with the academy too...
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harlingblue added 00:04 - Aug 4 Josh is a man mountain of a kid and with pace, he will make mistakes as he learns the game at a higher level. Those that are old enough will remember another man mountain youngster with pace, making mistakes as he learnt the game....Kevin Beattie.
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