Town face Panathinaikos in the sternest test of their pre-season programme on Sunday at Portman Road (KO 3pm). The Blues are likely to field the side which will take on Sheffield Wednesday on the first day of the season proper next Saturday.
Boss Jim Magilton says a game against the former Greek champions is exactly what his squad need at this point in their preparations: "Panathinaikos are just the sort of opposition we are looking for at this stage of pre-season.
"They are a club recognised around Europe, have a tremendous history in the game, have played Champions' League football and, with all due respect to our other pre-season opponents, will provide a step up in class.
"Like all good European teams, I'm sure they will keep the ball well, so we will have to be patient, switched on defensively as a unit and, when we have possession, make good use of the ball ourselves. I'm sure it will a good test for us against a top class side."
Neil Alexander is set to make his first appearance for the Blues at Portman Road with Dan Harding at left-back, David Wright on the right and with skipper Jason De Vos and Alex Bruce in the centre. Richard Naylor is out for three months after undergoing surgery for a toe injury, while Ian Miller is on loan at Darlington. Fabian Wilnis and Tommy Smith could play some part from the bench.
In midfield, Jon Walters will continue in his right-side role, with Jaime Peters still a little way off full fitness after his spell away with Canada's U20s earlier in the summer.
Sylvain Legwinski is also short on fitness after breaking a metatarsal last season, so new re-signing Tommy Miller will line-up alongside Owen Garvan in the centre.
Gavin Williams has looked sharp despite his pre-season being hampered by his ongoing pelvic problems and is likely to start on the left of midfield. Gary Roberts sustained a minor injury early in pre-season and has tended to be involved in senior games from the bench rather than as a starter. George O'Callaghan could take over from one of the central midfielders at some stage.
Up front, home fans will have their first chance to see how Alan Lee and returning Spaniard Pablo Couñago will combine as a pair. Town's three young frontmen — Billy Clarke, Danny Haynes and Jordan Rhodes — will all hope to be introduced from the bench at some stage.
Town have one more pre-season game after Sunday, at Dartford on Tuesday when a side much like the one which faced Leiston on Friday will take on the Ryman League Division One South side at their Princes Park ground.
Likely squad: Alexander, Supple, Wright, Harding, De Vos, Bruce, Wilnis, Smith, Garvan, Miller, Williams, Walters, O'Callaghan, Legwinski, Richards, Roberts, Peters, Lee, Couñago, Haynes, Clarke, Rhodes.
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