Town’s U18s are travelling to the FA’s new national football centre at St George’s Park today, where they will stay and train ahead of Wednesday’s FA Youth Cup fourth round tie against Derby County at Pride Park (KO 7pm). If they beat the Rams, a home tie against Manchester City awaits in the fifth round.

Russell Osman’s boys beat Bristol City 1-0 at Ashton Gate in the third round with striker Tom Winter (pictured) scoring the game’s only goal.

Midfielder Byron Lawrence, who made his senior debut for the Blues on the final day of last season at Doncaster, told the club site that the fifth round draw has provided an extra spur: “It’s a great incentive for us, having City in the next round but we know it’s going to be tough against Derby.

“They’ve got some really good players in their squad. Obviously Mason Bennett and Will Hughes have hit the headlines for them this season by playing in the first team and they are both good players. We’re confident though and there’s no reason why we can’t beat them.

“I love the Youth Cup. Playing under the floodlights is quality and it will be great to have the chance to play at Portman Road if we can get past Derby.”

The Rams have confirmed that 18-year-old midfielder Hughes, a regular in their first team who is interesting Manchester City, will not be involved in tomorrow’s fixture.

However, 16-year-old striker Bennett will be in the side. Bennett recently became Derby’s youngest first-team goalscorer, when he added the final goal in a 5-0 FA Cup victory over Tranmere Rovers.

Former Blues chairman David Sheepshanks is the man in charge at St George’s Park, while ex-Town groundsman Alan Ferguson takes care of the many pitches at the facility which opened in October.

Meanwhile, Osman’s squad were joined by ex-Blue Kieron Dyer for a training session last week when the former England man paid a visit to Playford Road.

Dyer, whose son is in the Blues academy, is a free agent having been released by QPR earlier this month, but sources close to Town have played down the chances of the 34-year-old returning to Portman Road.

We understand there are a number of interested clubs both at home and abroad, with MLS sides having previously expressed an interest in the Ipswich-born midfielder.

There will be live updates on the game on the TWTD Message Board.

U18s: Crowe, Marsden, October, Robinson, Thompson, Hammond, Sowunmi, Clarke, Willbye, Leddy, Lawrence, Berkane, Timlin, Marriott, Winter, Galvin, Ramadan.

Photo: Action Images

yarmoblue added 11:18 - Jan 22 Stoke are also playing Derby in a friendly there today
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itfc1981 added 11:39 - Jan 22 Good old Sheepers!
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BlueVelvet added 12:21 - Jan 22 lets hope Clegg lets them play at PR rather than academy
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PhilTWTD added 12:37 - Jan 22 Man City game would be at Portman Road, think you have to get special permission not to play your home games at your main ground in the Youth Cup.
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JewellintheTown added 14:04 - Jan 22 Can ITFC get poor Tom a smaller top? That thing must catch the wind and slow him right down! Good luck lads. Great place to train and must do them the world of good. Enjoy the experience.
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billlm added 19:28 - Jan 22 on a different note does any one else think there will now be very little movment before the summer
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Talbs77 added 20:05 - Jan 22 Wish the boys the very best, would be fantastic if we can get past Derby and face City at PR, what a great experience it would be for these young lads. Also wish Kieron Dyer the very best. Its obvious where his heart lies and hope he can fix himself up with a club and end his career on a high.
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