Luke Hyam makes his first league start of the Paul Jewell era in more youthful Town side facing Blackpool at Portman Road this afternoon. Skipper Grant Leadbitter drops out with his hip injury, while Daryl Murphy is also missing from the 16, presumably with an injury, with Josh Carson starting.

The Blues could line-up in a 4-4-2 formation with Jason Scotland and Jay Emmanuel-Thomas up front but may choose to go with a 4-3-3/4-5-1 with Emmanuel-Thomas wide on the right and Carson in the centre. Ibrahima Sonko takes the captain’s armband for the first time.

Jimmy Bullard, who is still suffering the effects of his recent illness, is on the bench along with Michael Chopra.

Blackpool make one change from the team which beat Fleetwood 5-1 in the FA Cup last week with Stephen Crainey in for Bob Harris.

Full match preview here.

Town: McCarthy, Edwards, Sonko, Smith, Cresswell, Martin, Drury, Hyam, Carson, Emmanuel-Thomas, Scotland. Subs: Lee-Barrett, Ainsley, Bullard, Chopra, Priskin.

Blackpool: Howard, Crainey, Wilson, Baptiste, Eardley, Basham, Angel, Sylvestre, Ince, Phillips, Lua-Lua. Subs: Evatt, Grandin, Phillips, Taylor-Fletcher, Cathcart.

Photo: Action Images

Pettitt10 added 09:58 - Jan 15 GET BEHIND THE TEAM. PJ is going nowhere, back the blues all the way! i would have taken a draw before the game, blackpool have been playing well.
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