Town will be without Luke Chambers, Daryl Murphy, Cole Skuse, Aaron Cresswell and Anthony Wordsworth when they take on Preston in Tuesday’s FA Cup third round replay at Deepdale. Manager Mick McCarthy has included youngsters Byron Lawrence, Kyle Hammond and, for the first time, Matt Clarke in the travelling party.

Chambers came off with an injury late on during the game against QPR and McCarthy says he’ll not make the trip: “He’s struggling with a tight hamstring. Bearing in mind I’ve got five recognised defenders, I’m not going to risk him. He won’t be playing.

“Murph will be training today but he’s not ready for Tuesday, but should be for Millwall. Skusey’s got a dead leg as well, that’s somebody else that won’t be involved.

“Cressy has had a bit of fluid on his knee. He’ll be fine for Saturday but I’m not prepared to risk any of them.

“It’s not about picking and choosing games, I’ve got five defenders and I’d sooner they missed one game. I said that to Murph about the QPR game, if you’re going to miss that, miss that, but be ready for the next 10 or 15 games because he’s been fit all the time. We’ve only got a small squad so I need to make sure they stay fit.”

Midfielder Wordsworth has been ill for the last 10 days and will also miss out: “I haven’t seen him since we played against Preston,” McCarthy said. “He’s had tonsillitis, he’s had a really bad dose of it. I’m hoping he’s in today, but there’s no chance he’ll make the trip.”

Already sidelined was recent signing Sylvan Ebanks-Blake, who suffered a hamstring injury in the first Preston game and will be out for three to four weeks.

Academy second-year scholars Lawrence, who made his senior debut at Doncaster on the final day of the 2011/12 season, and Hammond will again be part of the squad while first-year scholar Matt Clarke, a central midfielder or defender, who has been handed the number 40, will be in the senior party for the first time, having broken into the U21s last season while still a schoolboy.

“They’re both travelling, and Matt Clarke is travelling as well to make up the 18,” McCarthy confirmed. “We’ve got a cross section from about 15 to 35 in the squad.”

McCarthy confirmed that Scott Loach would start in goal, Tyrone Mings would be in the defence and that Stephen Hunt would also be in the side, while Alan Lee again seems set to be part of the squad.

Meanwhile, McCarthy wouldn’t be drawn on whether there is anything in reports that the Blues and Leicester are interested in taking 18-year-old Chelsea central defender, midfielder or left-back Nathan Aké on loan: “I wouldn’t tell you if there was.”

Town and the Foxes are reported to have watched Dutch U21 international Aké, who was a youth player with hometown club ADO Den Haag and Feyenoord before moving to Stamford Bridge in 2011, in action for Chelsea’s U21s against Reading last week.

Aké has made one Premier League start and two sub appearances, in addition to one start and one sub appearance in the Europa League.

Photo: Action Images

essextractorboy93 added 11:22 - Jan 13 Great experience for these three youngsters. No point risking the likes of Skuse or Cresswell ahead of what will be a very tough game on Saturday at Millwall when we don't have much back up. Nathan Aké would be a decent loan signing but the five defenders we have are doing a great job. COYB!
2

JimmyJazz added 11:23 - Jan 13 Only problem with Ake is that surely Chelsea want him to be playing for a loan side. This was surely why Villa recalled Jordan Graham and then sent him out to Bradford on loan instead
2

Marcus added 11:26 - Jan 13 We're not Ipswich Town without at least one Dutch player.
13

irishtim added 11:31 - Jan 13 Could be the kid's & The Veteran tomorrow night. No point risking any player's with injuries. Hopefully they can win it.
0

Smithy added 11:45 - Jan 13 Loach Edwards Berra Smith Mings Taylor Hyam Tunnicliffe Hunt Nouble McGoldrick Subs: Hammond, Gerken, Clarke, Anderson, Tabb, Lee, Lawrence
4

Special_A added 11:46 - Jan 13 It is my understanding that the reason Jordan Graham didn't play was down to his attitude and not his ability. Squad and manager didn't take to him.
-2

essexboy added 12:13 - Jan 13 Special_A. That is correct .I heard this from a good voice at the club.Just a shame Hewit is not with us,he could have played at Preston .Never mind in Mick we trust.COYB
0

muccletonjoe added 13:31 - Jan 13 Matt clarke going through the youth teams very quicklyt, I know he is highly thought of. Be interesting to see what happens with him
1

mow_the_lawn added 13:32 - Jan 13 I hope we get to see McGoldrick and Taylor up top and Anderson and Hunt on the wings. Be interesting to see if MM goes with a 3-5-2 with only 3 recognised defenders or goes with 4-4-2 with Edwards at RB.
1

sotd78 added 13:53 - Jan 13 Or Hunt at left back
0

Bluetone added 14:18 - Jan 13 Would have been a good opportunity to have a look at Jack Marriott instead of warming another team's bench.
8

oscarwhiting added 14:41 - Jan 13 put taylor up front. dont bother with nouble, he doesnt do much and would rather see taylor play because like mcgoldrick he makes things happen
4

Townie78 added 14:57 - Jan 13 Loach Mings Berra Smith Edwards Hunt Hyam Tunnicliffe Lawrence Taylor McGoldrick Subs: Crowe, Hammond, Anderson, Lee, Clarke, Tab, Nouble
0

Tractorog added 15:20 - Jan 13 I'd play Nouble. Their goalie has had time to think about how he got clattered by big Frank. I would not risk McGoldrick.
2

battyblue added 15:26 - Jan 13 Like Bluetone said would have been a good opportunity for Jack to get a game i hope MM calls him back if he is going to spend most of his time wasted on Gillingham bench.
5

runningout added 16:07 - Jan 13 what a imaginative nickname for Mr Skuce.. Have a feeling I wont be impressed after replay ..
0

runningout added 16:09 - Jan 13 oops 'Skuse'
0

mickymacsbarmyarmy added 16:28 - Jan 13 whats happened to adekunde & doherty (our 25k marquee signing)..seem to remember mick saying both would be ready for the first team sooner rather than later and imo tomorrow seems to be the ideal oppurtunity to blood at least one of these
0

masetheace added 17:27 - Jan 13 Am I the only one who thinks Taylor gives lots of effort but can't see a pass and has no end product ?
-3

Cloddyseedbed added 17:43 - Jan 13 masetheace. You are not the only one. Am I the only one who thinks Nouble should not be anywhere near the 1st team squad?
1

floridaboy added 17:56 - Jan 13 Townie78, what planet are you on or have you been sniffing something. Absolute joke!!
-4

DurhamTownFan added 18:08 - Jan 13 Understand why MM has gone for this squad: league is totally the priority here and you don't want to risk half-fit players in a game that could count for nothing if we lost it. Having said that, I'd like us to go on at least a little run in the competition. The next round it totally winnable (that West Ham result was a total dud due to Big Sam's selections) and it'd be a shame for the fans who are making the trip to Preston if it's all for nothing.

0

menacinho added 18:08 - Jan 13 Five Miss Trip to Preston : One of Enid Blyton's less exciting books in the popular children's series......
8

blueboy1981 added 18:31 - Jan 13 Marcus ...... two would be even better !
0

blueboy1981 added 18:34 - Jan 13 masetheace - ... that's where 'good coaching' should come in - Coaching is not all about ball skills, as some think.
-1

Blogs 295 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls