Blues boss Paul Jewell says more of his fringe players could get their chance between now and the end of the season. Midfielders Ryan Stevenson and Josh Carson were amongst those who came into the team for Monday’s 2-1 home defeat to Leicester and a number of others could get an opportunity with the campaign over from a competitive perspective.

Jewell says those on the periphery who impress him in training may play during the final four games of the season: “As I said before, I don’t want to just give out shirts willy-nilly.

"We take every game seriously, we’ve got a tough game on Saturday at Crystal Palace then another on Tuesday against Birmingham, so it’s relentless really.

“But we might change things around because we did look a little bit tired against Leicester.”

Keeper Richard Wright and midfielder Jimmy Bullard may be amongst the more experienced players who may come into the side at some stage, while striker Nathan Ellington will also hope for some involvement after a first season at Portman Road in which he has made only one league and two cup starts, in addition to 14 sub appearances, and is yet to score.

At the other end of the scale, 16-year-old schoolboy Byron Lawrence warmed up with the senior squad on the pitch prior to Monday’s game against Leicester.

Jewell has previously said that the midfielder, who was on the bench for the Carling Cup match against Northampton earlier in the season, could make his debut before the end of the campaign, probably in the role usually occupied by Lee Martin.

Luke Hyam could also come back into the centre of the midfield, while Jack Ainsley could play some part at right-back.

Fellow full-backs Joe Whight, whose only involvement with the first team this season was a place on the bench for the Northampton match, and Callum Bennett, the only second-year scholar other than Whight to have been offered a professional contract, could also come into contention for some involvement.

Photo: Action Images

Photo: Action Images

walberswick added 22:49 - Apr 11 Drop Jewlio and Hutchings, try Steve Mcall and Russell Osman. PJ can either mouth it on SKY or more golf.
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bluelady added 23:14 - Apr 11 Steelmonkey I heard he had not looked sharp in training of late so could be, mind its only hear say who knows? RW, one last last last game surely!!!
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Keaneish added 00:24 - Apr 12 I don't agree fourth. If you play a 20 year old week in week out against very experienced pros in a physically demanding league they'll come unstuck along the way. Who's mature at 20!? I agree he's a decent player and i'd like to see more of him but he's not ready for week in week out football.
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Brazils_Bathrobe added 13:06 - Apr 12 Why is it we hear on one hand that todays pros are the fittest and strongest ever to have played the game yet play more than 5 or 6 games in a row and they're all knackered. Consistency (of the good sort) has been Towns problem last few seasons. Chopping and changing a team/system thats working is beneficial how? Yes this season is done but confidence and momentum are important factors. Lets get as many points and win as many games as we can then use pre-season and early cup games to blood/check out fringe players.

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h32 added 21:37 - Apr 12 bluelady - agree with both your Ellington and Wright posts - sound and decent thinking on both points. Would be a great gesture for RW to play in the last home game of the season.
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