New signing Kevin Horlock will miss tonight's trip to Oxford United as he has bruised ribs (KO 7.45pm). The former Swindon, Manchester City and West Ham man could also be absent when Crystal Palace visit Portman Road on Saturday (KO noon).

Better news is that keeper Kelvin Davis will be in the line-up after missing out at AaB Aalborg due to a slight back injury.

Manager Joe Royle has already indicated that he will start with Pablo Couñago up front, probably alongside Darren Bent, the sharpest looking of Town's attackers so far this pre-season.

Richard Naylor is set to drop back into the defence, while Jim Magilton makes a return to the club where he first made his mark in the game.

Georges Santos is provisionally named in the Town squad but looks increasingly likely to join QPR. Burnley, and now reportedly Stoke, are also interested in the Frenchman.

Both sides are likely to make more than the six substitutions used in many of the earlier pre-season games, FIFA having dropped the new rule last week.

Town probable squad: Davis, Price, Wilnis, Richards, Mitchell, Barron, De Vos, Naylor, Diallo, Santos, Magilton, Miller, Murray, Westlake, Couñago, Bent, Kuqi, Bowditch.

Photo: Action Images

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