As expected, Town have named a strong squad for this evening's game at Tiptree United (KO 7.45pm). Alex Bruce, Richard Naylor, Velice Sumulikoski and Jaime Peters are amongst those with first team experience.

Out-of-favour full-back Dan Harding gets his first action of pre-season, but there is no place for Alan Lee, who also missed last night's game at Gillingham. The Irishman was reported to be fit but to have watched the game from the stands.

Earlier in the week, Huddersfield were reported to be ready to offer £700,000 for Lee and midfielder Gary Roberts, while the striker is believed to have been the player the Blues offered to Burnley as part of their failed offer for Kyle Lafferty, who had already agreed to move to Rangers.

Boss Jim Magilton has also decided against giving a run-out to Kevin Lisbie, who now looks set to make his Town bow on Saturday when the Blues face West Brom at Portman Road. The recent signing from Colchester has been training with fitness coach Simon Thadani since his move at the end of last week.

Town promised Tiptree tonight's friendly in September 2007 after the Ridgeons Division One champions were expelled from the FA Cup for fielding two ineligible players, one of whom was former Town academy scholar Ian Nimmo.

Nimmo and former Northampton scholar Jamie Arlick played in a preliminary round tie against London APSA, who were subsequently reinstated into the competition, while both players were still officially registered to their former Football League sides.

The duo had been released in the previous July and Town, the Cobblers and Tiptree were all under the impression that they were free to play for another club.

However, neither Town nor Northampton had completed the necessary paperwork for the Football Association which officially terminated their scholarships.

Tiptree are expecting a capacity crowd and advise fans to arrive early. Tickets are £10 for adults and £5 for concessions (OAPs and under-16s).

Squad: Bruce, Naylor, Peters, Casement, Bowditch, Harding, Clarke, Sumulikoski, Supple, Upson, Trotter, Robinson, Rhodes, Reason, Ainsley, Watson.

Photo: Action Images

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