On-loan Arsenal defender Mark McGuinness is handed his Blues debut, Luke Woolfenden his first League One appearance of the season and Freddie Sears a return to the side as Town boss Paul Lambert makes three changes ahead of this evening’s game against Gillingham at Portman Road.
McGuinness and Woolfenden will form a new central defensive partnership with Toto Nsiala dropping to the bench and James Wilson out of the 18.
Jack Lankester moves into the advanced central midfield role having played wide on the right in Saturday’s 1-0 loss at Lincoln with Jon Nolan suspended for three games following his red card at Sincil Bank.
Sears may well take up the position vacated by Lankester with Gwion Edwards on the left and Oli Hawkins in the centre of the attack.
Gillingham include former Blues loanees Jordan Graham and Dominic Samuel in their starting XI.
Town: Holy, Chambers (c), Woolfenden, McGuinness, Ward, Dozzell, Bishop, Lankester, Sears, Edwards, Hawkins. Subs: Cornell, Bennetts, Nsiala, Kenlock, Dobra, Huws, Simpson.
Gillingham: Bonham, Jackson, Tucker, Maghoma, Medley, McKenzie, Dempsey, MacDonald, Graham, Samuel, Akinde. Subs: Walsh, Eccles, Robertson, Woods, Willock, Coyle, Oliver. Referee: Antony Coggins (Bicester).