Town's reserves take on Crystal Palace's second string this evening at Portman Road (KO 7pm). Club captain Jim Magilton is set to partner Norwegian Vemund Brekke Skard in the centre of the midfield.

Also included in the starting line-up is central defender Gerard Nash, recently back from a loan spell at Hartlepool. Manager Joe Royle had impressive reports from representatives at Nash's games for Pools and, with Fabian Wilnis likely to miss Saturday's game at Wolves, the Irishman could receive a call into the first team squad for the trip to Molineux.

Nash partners Chris Casement who has returned from international action with Northern Ireland's U18s in Spain last week.

Strike-pair Billy Clarke and Darryl Knights are both back in action after elbow and ankle injuries respectively.

Included in a reserves squad for the first time is academy schoolboy Jordan Rhodes. The striker, the son of goalkeeper coach Andy, has scored hat-tricks in successive weeks for the U16s, the latest in a 4-1 away hammering of Norwich City on Saturday.

Reserves: Lewis Price, Scott Mitchell, Stuart Ainsley, Vemund Brekke Skard, Chris Casement, Gerard Nash, Jim Magilton, Sammy Moore, Billy Clarke, Jaime Peters, Darryl Knights. Subs: Liam Trotter, Russell Short, Cathal Lordan, Edward Upson, Jordan Rhodes.

Photo: Action Images

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