Boss Mick McCarthy was delighted with the impact Stephen Hunt, Jay Tabb and Kevin Bru made during Tuesday’s 2-1 home victory over his former club Wolves.
The trio, largely fringe players this season, are amongst those to have come into the side in recent games with several more regular starters out through injury.
"I did say to them beforehand that they’ve got to cause me a problem with picking the team,” McCarthy said.
"I told Hunty I wasn’t playing him and he was all upset and told me he was all right. I said ‘Are you 100 per cent?’ and he told me he was all right.
"So I told him he was playing and so he had to give me his lot or he would have been in trouble.”
Hunt, 33, who played for McCarthy at Wolves, rejoined the Blues one a one-year contract in the summer having signed short-term deals last season.
"I was delighted for him because a few questioned why I re-signed him,” McCarthy added. "I think Saturday’s performance and Tuesday’s performance spoke volumes without me needing to tell anybody why.”
The Town manager was similarly pleased with Jay Tabb, 30, and also with summer signing Kevin Bru, 25, who has quickly adapted to the rigours of the Championship.
"Tabby and Kevin Bru came in and I thought they were excellent, they ran themselves into the ground,” he said. "Bru’s a good player, he’s done really well and I’ve been delighted with him.”
Hunt, Tabb and Bru may well start against Watford at Portman Road on Saturday with a number of midfielders still sidelined.
Luke Hyam is suspended having reached five bookings and Cole Skuse and Teddy Bishop are both expected to miss out again due to their groin injuries. Jonny Williams (calf) and right-back Jonny Parr (groin) may train today and are more likely to return to action on Saturday.
Season ticket holders are entitled to purchase up to four further tickets at discounted prices for Saturday’s game. The additional tickets are priced at £10 for adults, £8 for seniors, students and under-20s, and £1 for U16s in all areas of the ground.