Town get their pre-season fixture programme under way against Dartford at their Princes Park stadium on Saturday afternoon (KO 1pm).

Paul Cook’s summer signings Wes Burns, Lee Evans, Rekeem Harper, Macauley Bonne, Vaclav Hladky and
Matt Penney are likely to play their first games in Blues shirts.

It’s anticipated that Town will take a squad of 22 players with a different team fielded in each half against the National League South side, as is common at this stage of pre-season.

The first-team squad is currently short on numbers, with the Blues looking for at least another five signings, and is therefore likely to be augmented by a number of youngsters.

The senior players currently training with the U23s - Flynn Downes, Teddy Bishop, Kayden Jackson, Myles Kenlock and Brett McGavin - are not expected to be involved.

Jon Nolan, who suffered a knee injury towards the end of last season, may not be ready to be included in the travelling party, while anyone who has suffered even a minor niggle in pre-season will be left out.

The game will be the first senior away match that Town fans have been able to attend since the visit to Blackpool in early February 2020.

Tickets, which are available here, cost £10 for adults, £5 for concessions (over-65), £2 for youths (age 13-17) and £1 for juniors (under-12).

Fans are required to buy their tickets in advance of the match with the capacity having been increased to 2,000 having initially been limited to 1,200.

A list of Town’s pre-season fixtures can be found here.

Photo: Matchday Images

grinch added 18:44 - Jul 9 no good putting names twice Phil we have still only signed 5 players not 6. Worrying point that you have highlighted we have not got the numbers to play a first 11 in a friendly so we are bringing in a number of youngsters. I know the CEO has said he wants 5 more signings but he has been saying this for weeks now let's see some action on bringing these players in or we will just be filled by the dreaded loan system

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Blueballs83 added 18:54 - Jul 9 I think Bonne counts as the 6th signing, but we still have a lot of work to do. Unless Downes has stated that he wants to leave, he should be given another chance. He has the quality to be a great player for us!
6

ihatecanaries added 18:58 - Jul 9 I guess its 7 a side then
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TBT added 19:33 - Jul 9 See you there guys, very excited about the start of an era!!
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itfchorry added 19:48 - Jul 9 Yes TBT - Can't wait - Let's have a good old sing a long tomorrow!
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Help added 20:15 - Jul 9 See you there looking forward to seeing some of the new boys
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Nobbysnuts added 22:42 - Jul 9 At the moment I am dreading the start of the season....we are so far off a decent starting eleven its scary. We are in trouble already...Real trouble. Cook has not got a clue what our team will be on the first day of the season and at this stage of pre season that is seriously worrying.
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TBT added 00:30 - Jul 10 Get a grip Nobby and enjoy the ride. Marcus is gone, the only way is up! I turned 60 this month and haven't been so exited about ITFC for years.
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shakytown added 06:33 - Jul 10 If none of the guys training with the 23's are included does that mean they are not stepping up or does it mean they are going no matter what???? Surely they are being monitored and if they prove they want it badly they should at least get a chance to perform.
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chepstowblue added 07:30 - Jul 10 Dartford should have more than enough to worry our central defensive pairing; an issue that as has yet to be addressed, and up to now the reason why we wont be challenging again this season. Yes we're in a better shape than we were; but are still well behind 3 for 4 others in the ambition stakes and deals done.
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ArnieM added 07:42 - Jul 10 Lots of people “ worrying” on here …. Just to reiterate….It's a training session, nothing more , nothing less!
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Fartman added 08:05 - Jul 10 @ArnieM I think being worried about having a competitive squad for the start of the season is not about beating Dartford today. We're long short of having a devent squad, and we would need time to gel… Pointing out that our to central defenders will struggle against Dartford, is just stating his lack of trust in the pair of them. But the again we need to trust Ashton💪🏻

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bluesteel added 08:13 - Jul 10 i wonder if paul cook thinks he's improved our promotion prospects with all he's done since taking the job. alienating all the existing players, starting pre season without a squad, and starting to play games with players who are told they are not good enough and a few signings who are all asking themselves where are the other players you promised me?
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bluesteel added 08:16 - Jul 10 28 days to kick off
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Bazza8564 added 08:41 - Jul 10 Sadly just read that Paul Mariner has died, devastating, RIP fella, one of the greats
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ImAbeliever added 08:41 - Jul 10 Just heard the sad news that Paul Mariner has died.
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Monarch_Blue added 09:06 - Jul 10 Given today's very sad news, it somehow doesn't seem right to be playing a friendly today! Postpone the game out of respect,
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