Stratford Town striker Ben Stephens makes his second appearance for the Blues' U23s in this afternoon’s Premier League Cup match against West Brom at Portman Road (KO 2pm).
Stephens, 20, who previously played for Gerard Nash’s team in their recent 5-2 defeat at Colchester, had been expected to start last Thursday’s match at Aston Villa but ultimately wasn’t involved.
Winger-turned-frontman Stephens, who was previously with Oadby Town and Kettering, spent time training with the Blues earlier this month before featuring for the U23s at Colchester, having taken his goal tally for the Evostik South Premier League side to 18 for the season.
Following the game against the U's, manager Mick McCarthy said Stephens had done well and would have another look at him in action.
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"He did alright [at Colchester]," he said. "Especially as he played on the Saturday as well. He came in and the pitch wasn’t great at Colchester."
Also starting this afternoon's game is on-trial midfielder Mohammed Sagaf. Blues left-back Myles Kenlock and midfielder Kevin Bru were expected to be involved but are not named in the final team having been included in the XI initially announced. More on the match here.
U23s: M Crowe, McLoughlin, Cotter, Goteni, Nydam, Sagaf, Blanchfield, Morris, Drinan, Stephens, Folami. Subs: Ware, Clements, Ndaba, McKendry, Lankester.