Town boss Mick McCarthy has made three changes to his team for this afternoon’s game at Newcastle with Jonathan Douglas, Conor Grant and Grant Ward coming into the side for Cole Skuse, who is injured, Kevin Bru and Teddy Bishop, who drop to the bench.

Skuse misses out with the toe injury which forced him off in the 2-0 win against Burton in the week, a problem he initially suffered at QPR last season.

Douglas and Grant look set for the two deeper central roles with Tom Lawrence - or perhaps Freddie Sears - between them and main striker Leon Best with Ward on the right and Lawrence or Sears on the left.

David McGoldrick, back after the ankle injury he suffered in August, and Jonny Williams are both included among the substitutes.

Newcastle make three changes from the team which won 2-0 at Barnsley on Tuesday with DeAndre Yedlin, Ayoze Perez and former Town loanee Jack Colback coming into the side for Vurnon Anita, Mohamed Diame and Isaac Hayden.

Town: Bialkowski, Chambers (c), Webster, Berra, Knudsen, Douglas, Grant, Ward, Lawrence, Sears, Best. Subs: Gerken, Bishop, McGoldrick, Digby, Bru, Williams, Emmanuel.

Newcastle: Darlow, Clark, Dummett, Colback, Lascelles (c), Gayle, Ritchie, Shelvey, Perez, Gouffran, Yedlin. Subs: Anita, Hayden, Diame, Mbemba, Sels, Atsu, Mitrovic. Referee: James Adcock (Nottinghamshire).

Photo: TWTD

iaintaylorx added 14:23 - Oct 22 Douglas? Hahahahahahahahah WOW!
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iaintaylorx added 14:23 - Oct 22 Bench looks alot stronger though!
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OwainG1992 added 14:25 - Oct 22 Swap Dougie wish Bishop and i'd be more than happy with that side. As iaintaylorx says that's a very good looking bench. A reminder that when the injured players are back we do have a pretty damn good squad.
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joepublic added 14:26 - Oct 22 Not convinced by Douglas in and Bishop out but a strong looking bench. Good luck town and enjoy the day all you 2500 away day Blues
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CharlieITFC added 14:29 - Oct 22 I'm actually ok with Douglas as Skuse is out. Put Bishop in instead, and there's no one in that midfield used to sitting as the holding midfielder. We also finally have players on the bench who can change a game. Seeing Bishop, Williams and McGoldrick come on would lift any side
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NSL added 14:30 - Oct 22 If there is one game you pack the midfield with defensive players its this one. Let Shelvey have time to spray the ball about and we are dead. I would have gone mad if he had made these changes at home to Rotherham but for Newcastle away a smash and grab with Dids coming off the bench later will do do fine!
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TimmyH added 14:34 - Oct 22 McCarthy must be gutted only 1 of Skuse/Douglas is fit, shame that Bish has been dropped. Hope Grant has a good game towards the back of midfield and maybe displace Dougie in that position (he said tongue in cheek). All the best lads.
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rickw added 14:39 - Oct 22 I thought Grant looked good when he came on Tuesday so I'm happy with him in. Away at Newcastle you really need a holding midfielder, so in this case its a good thing Douglas is playing!
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hampstead_blue added 14:39 - Oct 22 I still can't agree with only 1 up top. I'd like to see a more narrow midfield with two up front.
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Jimmy86 added 14:40 - Oct 22 My only concern with Douglas, is how he will keep up with play, for us to succeed we're going to have to keep Shelvey and Colback quiet in midfield. Douglas, approaching 35 has not got the legs to get around in peoples faces now
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iaintaylorx added 14:43 - Oct 22 I get why Douglas is starting, but he really isn't good enough anyway in my opinion! This is why we need a defensive midfielder desperately in January. Aswell as a striker, that is a must!
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irishtim added 14:43 - Oct 22 Douglas has to be played today with skuse out. Would never play both together.
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Mick_Mills_Tache added 14:47 - Oct 22 I can see why Douglas is in the team...although I think he's a complete donkey, we do need a more defensive minded mid to sit in front of the back four. I'm relatively happy with the side...would still prefer young Josh to Chambers, especially as Newcastle will look to exploit him. One of the best attacks up against the best defence...lets finally see what happens when an unstoppable object comes up against an unmoveable one. Go on Town. Go and do the great man himself, Sir Bobby, proud today.

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Mick_Mills_Tache added 14:49 - Oct 22 Oh, and for some reason unbeknown to me, I am actually optimistic and have a feeling we could be coming home with more than a point....? I'm off for a lie down, doctors has said I need some rest :-P
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JimmyP45 added 14:51 - Oct 22 Jonathan Douglas = Game lost. Games over.
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Seasider added 15:01 - Oct 22 For a change most on here including me are fairly happy with this team(not that it would bother Mick either way).The bench looks much better than of late especially today,which reflects on injuries clearing up.Have match winners in this side,especially on the bench. THEY WILL NEED THEM AS NEWCASTLE ONE UP AFTER ONLY A MINUTE
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jas0999 added 15:05 - Oct 22 I don't rate Douglas very highly, however I also have no issue with ONE from him or Skuse starting. Expect us to give them a game and play for a win.
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NSL added 15:14 - Oct 22 Ok plan b then. Time to grind out a 1-0 defeat?! FFS
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Mick_Mills_Tache added 15:20 - Oct 22 Cross came from Chambers' side.....what did I say? Am I a football genius? 👀
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