Tyrone Mings is excited at the prospect of completing a hat-trick of senior starts in Town’s away clash with Blackpool this afternoon.
The 20-year-old defender has been confirmed as the replacement for left-back Aaron Cresswell, who will be starting a two-game ban after being red-carded for foul and abusive language after last Friday’s 1-1 home draw with Barnsley had ended.
Cresswell was punished by referee Andy D’Urso as he protested that Town should have had a stoppage-time penalty — but Mings admitted he was caught unawares because he had missed the incident.
Mings, 20, recalled: "It was quite odd actually. I came in after the game finished and I was obviously sat there with everyone else, waiting for the manager to give us his thoughts.
"He looked at Cressy and said ‘Did you get sent off?’ Cressy said yes and my ears pricked up a little bit. I didn’t have a clue until the manager mentioned it.
"I have to confess I was a bit chuffed because everybody wants to get a chance in the first team. Cressy getting sent off is obviously unfortunate for the team but it gives me a chance to play and obviously I’m excited.”
Mings made his Town debut in the final game of last season at Burnley and added a second senior outing on the opening day of the current campaign at Reading. He has since appeared as a substitute at Sheffield Wednesday last month.
Looking ahead to the game at Bloomfield Road, he added: "There will be a few nerves but it will be more excitement than anything else.”
Ideally he hopes the game will bring his first victory in a Town shirt, despite coming up against a tough opponent: "It will be a tough challenge because they are a good team who should be respected, but we go into every game expecting we can win.
"It will be good to test myself against Tom Ince, one of the best wingers in the league, but I don’t think I fear playing against anyone.
"You can’t go into the game worrying about other people and what they are going to do. You just have to believe in your own abilities.”
Meanwhile, he says last season’s nightmare 6-0 defeat at Blackpool hasn't been discussed in the Town dressing room in the build-up to today's game.
Several members of Paul Jewell’s side thrashed at Bloomfield Road in August last year, notably Luke Chambers, Tommy Smith, Carlos Edwards and Luke Hyam, are set to feature in the rematch.
Absentee Cresswell scored an own goal and his replacement added: "The players haven’t spoken at all about the 6-0 game.”