Town are set to leave out several key players for tonight's Worthington Cup game at Highbury. Mark Venus, Jim Magilton, Richard Naylor and James Scowcroft have all failed to train in the last couple of days and all are likely to miss out. George Burley has said players will only play if they are 100% fit in the Worthington Cup. That means there could be starting places for Martijn Reuser, David Johnson (renewing his early season partnership with David Johnson) and Titus Bramble.

Other fringe players, such as Amir Karic, Gary Croft and John Scales, may also hope for inclusion as Town take on a weakened Arsenal side. Arsene Wenger has said he will play a side which to some extent resembles the reserve side which played Town reserves two weeks ago. Youngsters like Graham Barrett, Ashley Cole, David Noble (who scored a cracker at Portman Road), Jermaine Pennant and keeper Stuart Taylor are likely to be involved although there will be one or two more familiar names with Sylvain Wiltord, Lee Dixon, Ipswich-born Matthew Upson and former Town loanee Paolo Vernazza in the starting line-up.

The match, refereed by Jeff Winter, must finish on the night and Town have been practicing penalties in case the game goes to a shoot-out.

Likely Town squad: R Wright, Salmon, Wilnis, Croft, Clapham, Karic, Hreidarsson, Venus, Bramble, McGreal, Scales, J Wright, Magilton, Holland, Reuser, Johnson, Scowcroft, Stewart, Naylor and Midgley.

Photo: Action Images

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