Blues boss Paul Jewell goes into Tuesday’s opening game of the season, the home Capital One Cup tie against Bristol Rovers, with a squad which he says is down to the “bare bones”. The Town manager is looking to add three more signings to his squad, while three probable starters are away on international duty and Andy Drury and one of his summer additions Elliott Hewitt are injured.

Jewell says Drury is suffering with the problem he picked up in the friendly at Southend, while Hewitt is still on the way back from the hip operations he underwent while with former club Macclesfield: “Andy Drury’s still got a calf problem and Elliott Hewitt’s out for a little while yet but he’s started to do some running which is a good sign.

“But we are stretched to the bare bones tomorrow evening - we’ve got to get a couple of new shirt numbers for the young players. The likes of Cormac Burke and Gunnar Thorsteinsson. It’ll be a young bench.”

The Blues manager says 16-year-old midfielder Byron Lawrence, who made his debut as a sub on the final day of last season, could make his first senior start: “He’s in with a chance of starting tomorrow. He’ll definitely be in the 18.

“I haven’t decided on the team yet. We’ll see how everybody is, we’ll have a bit of a roll call in the morning.”

Jewell says striker Nathan Ellington will also be in his squad with the team that starts likely to be as near to his best XI as is available for selection.

Damien Delaney is away with the Republic of Ireland squad, Ronan Murray with their U21s, while Josh Carson has been promoted to Northern Ireland’s senior side for their friendly with Finland in Belfast on Wednesday due to injuries, having initially been named in their U21s.

Meanwhile, prospective signing Cheick Kourouma is to be sent for a scan after picking up a leg injury in training this morning. The 20-year-old Frenchman's move to the Blues has been held up by red tape relating to his former clubs.

Adult tickets for Tuesday's game start at £12 and under-16s for £1, full details here.

Photo: Action Images

bluearmy4life added 17:24 - Aug 13 Have to agree with Newburyblue post, but still very concerned about the new season. This time last season I really fancied our chances of having a decent season, but this transfer window has been dissapointing. Three confirmed new signings is not good enough considering PJ has had 3.5 months to strengthen the squad.
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BigAlsMate added 17:43 - Aug 13 Sorry, but I really can't believe this is all being allowed to happen. Down to the bare bones for the first competitive game of the season? Bloody park teams are better organised than that these days!! Stuff friendly internationals, if players are needed here, then damned well keep them at the club who pay their salaries - Wenger, Ferguson and Co never seems to have a problem making sure their clubs come first.

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dirtydingusmagee added 18:15 - Aug 13 Kin great, here we go again .
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cats_whiskers added 18:18 - Aug 13 Apparently Jimmy Bullard had been to say his goodbyes to his ex colleagues and to collect his pay off cheque He threw away the skin of the banana he'd been eating and Cheik Kourouma then slipped on it and got injured.
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bluey123 added 18:22 - Aug 13 What has this to do with Internationals nothing terrible team management god they have only had 4 months JEWELL OUT
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scotty2hottyITFC added 18:36 - Aug 13 Please not Northampton all over again...
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J4ck22 added 19:14 - Aug 13 Why does everyone want to risk all our best players for a pointless cup game against a League 2 team? I'd rather we go out now and focus on the league more than anything else...
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TimmyH added 19:40 - Aug 13 Good opportunity to stick some youngsters in then! see what they're made of, it's only the league cup Mr Jewell, concentrate what other players you can get in rather than the excuses!
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harlingblue added 20:09 - Aug 13 Bare bones? How many players do you really need? Surely get your team, formation to suite. Too many players can cause disharmony, small and good, ala Ramsey and Robson would do me!
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RetroBlue added 20:31 - Aug 13 Quite frankly, alarm bells should be ringing. Down to the bare bones and the season hasn't even kicked off !! This squad is paper thin, and it could see us in big trouble once injuries / bans kick in!
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Ipswichbusiness added 21:24 - Aug 13 I feared this would happen. As the transfer window opened I expressed fears that we did not have a plan. We have signed a couple of good quality players since then (such as Loach and Chambers), but still don't seem to have a properly resolved squad (if Delaney goes we are down to two centre-backs given that Mr Jewell seems to have no faith in Ainsley). I am concerned about Kourouma; only 20 years old and he seems to have fallen out with three clubs already!

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ChrisMakin2012 added 21:39 - Aug 13 Half a job again Clegg. Do one!
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toforoge added 00:54 - Aug 14 I am optimistic we are 2 to 3 players off a very good squad and would br more than happy with 2 more quality signings which i think we will get. Room for one more loanee if it gets desperate.
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