Boss Mick McCarthy has confirmed that Josh Emmanuel, Myles Kenlock and Teddy Bishop will all start for the Blues in their final home game against the MK Dons tomorrow afternoon, however, striker Daryl Murphy remains sidelined with his calf injury and is now unlikely to be involved for Town again this season.

“I don’t think we’ll be seeing Murph now,” McCarthy admitted. “Although he’ll be fit to travel with the Republic of Ireland [ahead of the Euros], which is sad for us, of course, and it’s sad that he’s missed so many games this season having had such a great season last year. But we can’t do anything about that.

“He’ll be fine [for Ireland’s friendlies in May]. He tried to get back and he felt it again, so it’s just put him back. He’ll just have to make sure that he doesn’t try to do it too early. He’ll be fine.”

Better news is that Luke Varney is over his hamstring injury and Christophe Berra the knee problem which forced him at at Middlesbrough last week.

“Luke Varney’s OK and Berra’s OK,” he added. “Jonas Knudsen, he’s fine, although he got a dead leg in and around his knee [at the Riverside] and it just stiffened up, so he’s a bit of an issue. Chambo rocked his ankle in training the other day, but they’re fine.”

However, he says 18-year-old Josh Emmanuel will be handed his third league start - in addition to one Championship sub appearance and three cup starts - and Myles Kenlock, 19, his league debut in the right and left full-back roles respectively. Kenlock has previously started three cup games.

“They’re both playing tomorrow,” McCarthy confirmed. “I was always tempted, it’s a game where we can’t get in the play-offs and we’re not going to affect anybody else.

“We want to win the game, let’s just clear that up, as do the MK Dons. I see [MK boss Karl Robinson has] told his players already, the ones that aren’t going to be there next year, that they won’t be involved.

“Josh has has done well when he’s played, Myles has did OK in the cup ties. I really want to be thinking this summer, ‘You know what? Those two can play, I don’t need back-up. I’ve got Jonas and I’ve got Myles and I’ve got Josh as cover for full-backs and they can play’. They’re both starting tomorrow and we’ll see how they do.”

The Town boss also confirmed that midfielder Bishop will make his first senior start of the season having started three U21s games and made two senior sub appearances.

“Bish is playing tomorrow, he’s starting,” McCarthy added. “Whether we see him get through the whole game I don’t know.

“I just think he’s ready to start and whatever we can get out of him, 45 minutes at full tilt or 60 minutes, that would be great. It would be great for him, for his self-esteem going into the summer.”

As reported earlier in the week, 16-year-old Andre Dozzell has already gone away with the England U17s squad ahead of the European Championships in Azerbaijan, while 18-year-old midfielder Adam McDonnell will be in the squad and McCarthy says the Irishman could make his league debut at some stage.

Photo: Action Images

blueherts added 15:00 - Apr 29 I wonder if he will play 2 defensive midfielders Bish and McDonnell could be great for us next season I liked the look of josh em when I have seen him Make a change to have a proper right back in there The clear out begins
3

footyblue added 15:07 - Apr 29 see negativity for those kids to be seen as back up there should be competition for places no matter who you are what age you have to fight for your place in the team and that has been abundantly missing this year.
1

jas0999 added 15:12 - Apr 29 Up against essentially a division one club, and with nothing to play for, I don't see any point of playing any players who is unlikely to be with us next season. May as well experiment now as even a win won't disguise a very bitterly disappointing 2016. In this type of game where I'm sure MK dons won't really care less and also experiment for league one next term, we should be playing a very attacking formation. Is there any point playing even one defence minded central midfielder? We certainly don't need two - in any home game in fact. Let's hope for a win tomorrow but more importantly a good home performance, then hopefully some much needed quality purchased in the Summer.

6

Smithy added 15:13 - Apr 29 Bart Emmanuel Digby Smith Kenlock Feeney Skuse Bishop Tabby McGoldrick Sears
0

martleshamitfc added 15:18 - Apr 29 Smithy - why Tabb? won't be here next season
5

12th_Man added 15:20 - Apr 29 At least something to look forward to tomorrow
1

positivity added 15:21 - Apr 29 hope it's a mostly experienced side, not fair on the young players if they're all changed round. dozzell & digby have both shown their quality better in a "full-strength" side than anyone did in the cup games where a second-string was put out. Hoping for something like: bart emmanuel chambers smith kenlock pringle bishop skuse feeney mcgoldrick sears
2

Radlett_blue added 15:24 - Apr 29 Better news - Luke Varney is fit again.? I'm glad he's recovered from his serious injury, but he has been one of the sub-standard squad fillers this season, along with Coke, Tabb, Malarczyk & Toure.
3

HarryS_H added 15:30 - Apr 29 433 maybe?? Bart Emmanuel Digby Smith Kinloch Bru skuse bish Feeney mcgoldrick sears Could be very creative and attacking! Might be the answer and hopefully what mick is planning for tomorrow
5

essexboy added 15:44 - Apr 29 Great to see some of the young lads in the team for tomorrow.
5

grumpyoldman added 16:11 - Apr 29 Too little too late, great to see a right back playing at right back and other youngsters given a go but should have been done earlier in season.
5

Keaneish added 16:20 - Apr 29 The end of Murphy?
1

yorksblue added 16:21 - Apr 29 Sears in middle for me.
6

sidtheswan added 16:22 - Apr 29 Hopefully will be more interesting that what we're used to.
2

RaymondovicBlue added 16:33 - Apr 29 Bart Emmanuel chambers (c) Smith Kenlock Pringle Skuse/Hyam Bishop Feeney Sears McGoldrick (I guess Digby will miss out because surely you play your captain in the last home game AND you need that experience if playing two inexperienced fullbacks ....but I thought he looked like he deserved to keep his place)
6

righty added 16:35 - Apr 29 Old mates act from McCarthy saving Murphy for Republic I suspect didn't matter about ITFC getting to the play offs got to look after the Republic McCarthy OUT
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vanmunt added 16:37 - Apr 29 Smoke & Mirrors...
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iaintaylorx added 16:49 - Apr 29 would like to see... Bart Emmanuel, Digby, Smith (c), Kenlock Feeney, Bru, Bish, Pringle, Didzy, Sears
1

phillo added 17:25 - Apr 29 Good to see from Mick. Acid test is if they do well do they stay in for Derby & pre season/start of next ...... or over the summer do we get a slew of "journeymen" with "experience" who knock them down the pecking order again ? I hope not .... Also agree that hopefully there will be some quality experience in there (hopefully Bru & Skuse in middle and 2 of Berra/Smith/Chambo at CB) to help the youngsters through as its not a fair reflection on them in my opinion if they are all suddenly just chucked in together. We'll see tomorrow I guess but I for one am looking forward to it now. Lastly do we have any young strikers coming through anyone know ? All seems to be defenders & midfielders .......

0

TractorCam added 17:32 - Apr 29 Digby must retain his place!
1

Michael11 added 17:37 - Apr 29 I honestly don't think it was fair to drop Josh Emmanuel to begin with. He was superb first couple if games that he started.
2

phillo added 17:52 - Apr 29 TractorCam - sort of agree with you ...... but that would leave 3 out of 4 of the back four as emerging inexperienced youngsters & not sure that's fair on them. My reasoning was Digby has had a few games now & the others perhaps deserve a chance with some experience around them. Not a dig at Digby who it is too early to make a judgement on in my opinion & is certain to be around the back 2 next year.

2

finzha added 18:07 - Apr 29 Agree with whoever suggested the 433 - and agree with the exact same players. Feeney would clearly work happier as a RW or RF. Been aching for the partnership of Bru and Ted for 1 year, hopefully it happens on Saturday with Skuse cleaning up and composing the midfield. Hyam doesn't get a look-in. Hopefully Freddie can flourish as a striker tomorrow with Didz beside him! I'm being optimistic here - 3-0 win! #COYB

1

finzha added 18:07 - Apr 29 Agree with whoever suggested the 433 - and agree with the exact same players. Feeney would clearly work happier as a RW or RF. Been aching for the partnership of Bru and Ted for 1 year, hopefully it happens on Saturday with Skuse cleaning up and composing the midfield. Hyam doesn't get a look-in. Hopefully Freddie can flourish as a striker tomorrow with Didz beside him! I'm being optimistic here - 3-0 win! #COYB

1

Pilgrimblue added 18:20 - Apr 29 I saw MK last week and its an ideal time to play more attacking midfield and try and keep the ball on the ground for once. They play from the back with little hoof but tend to misplace passes so ideal for Bru and Bish.
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