Town boss Roy Keane has named a very young provisional squad for Tuesday evening’s Carling Cup first round tie at Shrewsbury (KO 7.45pm). Academy duo Luke Hyam (pictured) and Ronan Murray are perhaps the most surprising names included, alongside the likes of Reggie Lambe, Jack Ainsley, Troy Brown, Ian McLoughlin and Shane O’Connor.

Ipswich-born midfielder Hyam, 17, wasn’t even awarded a squad number prior to the season’s start and is only likely to be amongst the substitutes.

Republic of Ireland U19 international Ronan Murray is also without a squad number and again will probably be amongst the seven players on the bench, having impressed in pre-season for the reserves, looking sharp in front of goal.

Manager Roy Keane says it was always in his mind to make a significant number of changes for the midweek game: "I had a team in my mind for the Shrewsbury game before we played at Coventry and there will definitely be changes to the side that played on Sunday.

"There was never a chance of us playing the same team, but we will be going to Shrewsbury with a strong side and to win the game."

Town are without Gareth McAuley and Tamás Priskin who are away on international duty with Northern Ireland and Hungary respectively. Pablo Couñago is still out with his groin problem, while Ben Thatcher is still not considered ready for inclusion after damaging knee ligaments late last season.

David Norris injured his knee at Coventry and is due to have undergone a scan today but wasn’t in Keane’s plans for the visit to Shropshire.

The side Town will play against the League Two team is not easy to predict, although Shane Supple seems set to play in goal.

David Wright is likely to return at right-back with Alex Bruce and Tommy Smith at the centre of the defence with Shane O’Connor perhaps at left-back, although Smith could move to the left allowing Troy Brown or Jack Ainsley to come into the centre.

If Keane keeps with his 4-3-3 formation, Owen Garvan and Colin Healy could return to the side with Ed Upson, Jack Colback or Alan Quinn taking up the other role. Two of those three — or the versatile O’Connor - could come into the side if Keane decides to switch to a midfield four.

Up front, Connor Wickham could be handed his first senior start in the central role with Jon Walters on the right and Reggie Lambe or Shane O’Connor on the left, if the Irishman isn’t required at full-back or at left midfield.

For Shrewsbury, New Zealand international frontman Kris Bright has received international clearance in time to play, but midfielder Lewis Neal (ankle) and defender Mike Jackson (knee) both are out injured and midfielder Steve Leslie suspended.

Manager Paul Simpson cites several players as amongst Town’s biggest threats, only one of whom is in the Blues squad: "It will be a tough game for us. Anybody who watched Ipswich against Coventry at the weekend will see that they're a very good footballing side.

"They can play short, they can be longer to Stead and Walters, they've got pace with Lee Martin and Peters and they've got good footballers in there, the likes of Trotter and Norris. We know it's going to be a tough game but what a fantastic game to look forward to."

Historically, Town have had much the better of matches between the two sides, winning 12 games, losing three and drawing eight.

The last time the sides met was also in a League Cup tie, back in the 1990/91 season. The Blues drew 1-1 at Gay Meadow, Ian Redford scoring for Town and Carl Griffiths for the Shrews, then ran out 3-0 victors at Portman Road in the second leg with Redford, current U18s coach Chris Kiwomya and Simon Milton, now the Blues' academy sponsorship manager, on the scoresheet.

Gay Meadow had previously been the scene of two of Town's greatest FA Cup disasters. In 1981/82 Sir Bobby's Robson's side lost 2-1 to the Shrews in the fifth round, Steve Cross and Jake King scoring for the home side and Mich D'Avray for the Blues.

Two years later, Shrewsbury repeated the trick a round earlier by beating Bobby Ferguson's Town 2-0 via goals from Gary Hackett and Colin Robinson.
Town have never played at the Shropshire side's new home, the Prostar Stadium, which they moved to in 2007.

No current Town player has featured for the Shrews, while no members of the Shrewsbury squad has played for the Blues.

Tuesday’s referee is Mick Russell from Hertfordshire, who showed 57 yellow and four red cards in 28 games last season. Russell’s last Town game was the 2-0 home win against Derby in November last year.

Provisional squad: Ainsley, Brown, Bruce, Colback, Garvan, Healy, Hyam, Lambe, McLoughlin, Murray, O'Connor, Quinn, Smith, Supple, Upson, Walters, Wickham, D Wright.

Photo: Action Images

FriskinPriskin1 added 16:34 - Aug 10 As long as it isn't 7-1 I can go with that Roy!
0

jamie22 added 16:40 - Aug 10 Very pleased to see that team!! I can't get to the match, but will be listening with huge excitement!! And I think even though Wickham will feature a lot this season in the league this is his chance, as he will obviously starting by the look of it! Come on you young blues!!
0

dirtydingusmagee added 16:50 - Aug 10 I think thats a decent call ,at least the kids will be out to prove something, and nobody can say that R K has not given them a chance,yes it could backfire,but hey ho , ITS PREM WE ARE AFTER ULTIMATELY, COME ON LADS SHOW THE BOSS WHAT YOU CAN DO .
0

newburyblue added 16:55 - Aug 10 Interesting... i think i'll pass judgement on whether its a good or bad idea after the game!
0

moomoosereni added 17:03 - Aug 10 The long term aim of the club this season has to be remembered. Some may look at it as RK being arrogant and thinking the club is bigger than it really is, I think it's priotising each game by it's importance. Despite the loss yesterday there were a lot of positives to come from the game. We dominated for long periods and had we been a little luckier we would have won. The kids always deserve a look in and win or lose tomorrow, RK is showing them he knows who they are and believes in their futures. A positive step I think.

0

SW1_Blue added 17:09 - Aug 10 I'm really happy with this. It shows the manager has a plan and the courage to impliment it. If we need these youngsters, for whatever reason later on in the season, this sort of expierience will stand them and us in good stead. PS. Thought we looked purposeful and enthusiastic yesterday and that makes me happy! Blue Army!!!!!!
0

BlueBoyBurman added 17:24 - Aug 10 looks like we playing for a defeat (Y) its good to let the young guns have a go but not 2 many, o well no1 likes the league cup anyways lol
0

Blue_Fred added 17:29 - Aug 10 looks like RK will be implemeting another trick he picked up from Sir Alex, and good luck to him and his young team. Targets... Premier league for the Senior 1st Team.. and a wembley cup final final for the Junior 1st team... I LOVE IT! ps. Newburyblue please watch out for splinters sitting there....................
0

radiohead added 17:53 - Aug 10 Hope this selection wont backfire. We need a morale victory following Sundays defeat at Coventry.
0

MarkITFC added 19:40 - Aug 10 with the look of that sqaud i think its good enough to beat shewsbury.. its good to give youngsters a go. Be great to get a win with that team. COYB - roll on tomoz and saturday 2 wins i predict
0

jas0999 added 19:51 - Aug 10 Interesting squad. Wouldn't be surprised if we lost. But it would seem RK isn't too bothered with this cup!
0

ShropshireBluenago09 added 19:54 - Aug 10 Please play a decent side Roy. Im an Ipswich fan whose lived in Shrewsbury for 25 yrs and havent seen us play here for about that long. Careful Shrews took a pretty much full strength Fulham side to ET last year. I'll be in the away end down the new meadow!
0

Back_The_Boss added 20:18 - Aug 10 Giving youngsters a go can only be good for the future. We do need experience though, even if it is shrewsbury. COYB!!
0

dirtydingusmagee added 20:26 - Aug 10 Radiohead ....think positive,.... the morale boost it would give by a WIN !. anything can happen in a cup match imagin how we'd be ,if a full strength team was played ........and we lost it ![stranger things have happened] COME ON THE LADS !
0

BYRNE_16 added 20:30 - Aug 10 I think this will give the kids a good test even if we lose....
0

BranthamBlue added 20:54 - Aug 10 Interesting squad who do you reckon will captain? It would be good to see if murray and wickham play up front as they have built up a good understanding at youth and reserve level. Though probaly roy will play at 4-5-1/ 4-3-3 as already been suggested.
0

Blue_Showboat added 20:56 - Aug 10 Great to see Keane giving the young players a go, our main aim is of course promotion, and although everyone loves a good cup run, playing our first team for all those extra games may well dent our promotion hopes. Win or lose, it will be great experience for the younger players who can benefit greatly from the experience with Keane on the touchline. It will also be a great opportunity for Keane to see who is ready to make the next step up, like he has already decided with Wickham. We have a much smaller squad this year so will be good to know we have a decent group of youngsters to act as cover if we pick up a few injuries!!!

0

StowTractorBoy added 21:43 - Aug 10 Surely the law of averages will be with me after witnessing dismal defeats in this competition at Notts County, Doncaster, Peterborough and Milton Keynes I saw them all and we were dismal in every one possibly Peterborough apart. Tomorrow it looks refreshing if nothing else lets hope its 5th time lucky for me and lucky for all other town fans.
0

devontractorboy added 23:28 - Aug 10 Brilliant, at last a manager giving youth a good chance to prove themselves, couldn't care a jot about the result (Mmmmm slight lie there!!) hope it comes off and we get to the semi's & play the first team in the final, that way Richard Wright would get the final he deserved at Arsenal!!!
0

itfc94 added 09:35 - Aug 11 get priskin in there!! let him score a few
0

Havit_Blue added 09:43 - Aug 11 Good to see the Young ones having a go....
0

StavangerBlue added 09:55 - Aug 11 Any truth in Brian Kidd coming in? (BBC Gossip listing the Daily Mirror...this has been around the houses since Roy joined the club).
0

townturkey added 10:02 - Aug 11 will be good to give some of the youngsters a run out i think everyone is going to get a chance under keane this season to show what they can do. Will also prevent any injuries to the first team regulars.
0

WeWereZombies added 10:41 - Aug 11 I guess Alex Bruce will captain the side tonight, with no serious reserves league this year The Carling Cup is the opportunity for players who are knocking on the door of the first team or need exposure to competitive football at senior level. However, if we exit the competition too early then that opportunity will not be there. I would have liked to see Peters get another run out, thought he was our best player at Coventry, but perhaps he is a bit tired and jaded after all the games he has played for Canada this summer.

0

welshtractorboy added 11:32 - Aug 11
0

Blogs 295 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls