Town boss Mick McCarthy says he would have no hesitation in giving 17-year-old right-back Josh Emmanuel his first-team debut if he is needed when the Blues take on Brentford in their season opener at Griffin Park on Saturday.
Emmanuel, who turns 18 later this month, has been involved with the senior squad throughout pre-season and started Saturday’s final friendly at home to Dutch side FC Utrecht, which ended in a 1-1 draw.
The Londoner could be in line for his competitive debut against the Bees next weekend with skipper and regular right-back Luke Chambers set to move into the middle of the defence as cover for Christophe Berra, who is suspended for one match following his play-off red card, and with versatile full-back Jonny Parr a doubt with a niggly thigh problem.
"Not at all, none whatsoever,” McCarthy said when asked whether he would have any qualms about fielding Emmanuel at Brentford. "That’s why I played him [against Utrecht] and if that’s what happens he’ll play, if he needs to play.
"He’s not built like an 18-year-old stripling of a kid, he’s built like a bloke, he’s got a pair of shoulders on him. Nobody will do him for pace, nobody will do him for physique, strength.
"He’s a young lad and for their goal, I thought he should have defended it better. But isn’t it better for that to happen there and if he’s learnt from that then, brilliant, because he won’t let it happen again.
"The big striker [Sebastien Haller] that scored is a good player, we’re comparing apples and pears between him and Josh coming out of the youth team. I was delighted with him and I have been all pre-season, I think he’s going to be a good player for us.”
Even if Emmanuel doesn’t play against the Bees, the teenager could make his senior bow in next Tuesday’s Capital One Cup tie at home to Stevenage when the likes of Adam McDonnell and Josh Yorwerth could also be handed their debuts.
Meanwhile, Leyton Orient boss Ian Hendon says he expects Jobi McAnuff, who was linked with the Blues last week, to stay with his League Two side.
"He's played six games for Jamaica over the summer. He played 80 minutes yesterday for us and got kicked from pillar to post,” Hendon told the Waltham Forest Guardian. "He got up and got on with it for the same reason as Alan Dunne.
"He's played a lot of football, is fit and ready to go so as far as I'm concerned he's in the building and at the moment he's part of the squad. Unless I'm told otherwise or anything else happens he's here."
Elsewhere, Blues derby legend Danny Haynes has joined Vanarama National League South side Ebbsfleet. The 27-year-old left Cheltenham after a short spell at the end of last season.