Town have confirmed that Irish midfielder Owen Garvan will start tonight's first match of the pre-season tour of Hungary against Újpest (KO 8pm local time). TWTD reported yesterday that the absence of both Kevin Horlock and Jimmy Juan was likely to hand the 17-year-old a chance to impress.
Garvan, nephew of former Newcastle United player Mick Martin and grandson of ex-Aston Villa and Ireland international Con Martin, was the linchpin of last season's FA Youth Cup-winning side and has looked far from out of his depth in Town's three senior pre-season games so far.
Assistant manager Willie Donachie, in charge of the squad in Hungary, expects Garvan to cope with the step up: "You never really know for sure until he is exposed to the higher level, but Owen seems to handle every situation thrown at him. He has earned this place starting in the senior side and is there by right.
"It is now time to get as close to full competitive conditions as possible. The team will be as strong as we can be and most will play the whole game. Rangers was a good test but we need to move up a level again.
"Újpest are a good Hungarian side who will be stiff competition."
Striker Dean Bowditch picked up a slight ankle problem when scoring a hat-trick in Wednesday's reserve win at Sudbury and will have a fitness test prior to tonight's match.
Fellow frontman Nicky Forster travelled to Budapest separately from the rest of the party, having locked his keys and passport in his car.
Town take on Diósgyõri in their home town of Miskolc on Sunday (KO 5pm local time) before returning home on Monday.
Expected line-up: Price, Wilnis, Richards, Garvan, De Vos, Naylor, Magilton, Forster, Parkin, Currie and Westlake. Subs: McDonald, Collins, Casement, Trotter, Bowditch and Supple.