Town boss Mick McCarthy has handed new signing Balint Bajner his debut and Elliott Hewitt the right midfield role for this evening’s live Sky season opener against Fulham at Portman Road (KO 5.15pm).

Hungarian frontman Bajner starts alongside Daryl Murphy with Hewitt joined in midfield by Jay Tabb on the left and Luke Hyam and Cole Skuse in the centre.

At the back, skipper Luke Chambers retains his right-back position with Tyrone Mings at left-back and Tommy Smith and Christophe Berra at the centre of the backline. Dean Gerken started in goal.

McCarthy names no defenders on a bench which includes strikers David McGoldrick, Frank Nouble and Jack Marriott.

Fulham include eight debutants in their starting line-up, including £11 million striker Ross McCormack.

Town: Gerken, Chambers (c), Mings, Berra, Smith, Skuse, Hyam, Tabb, Hewitt, Bajner, Murphy. Subs: Bialkowski, McGoldrick, Bru, Wordsworth, Henshall, Marriott, Nouble.

Fulham: Joronen, Hoogland, Stafylidis, Hutchinson, Bodurov, Parker (c), Dembele, Hyndman, David, Burgess, McCormack. Subs: Bettinelli, Eisfeld, Roberts, Woodrow, Rodallega. Referee: Stephen Martin (Staffordshire).

Photo: Action Images

irishtim added 16:39 - Aug 9 Best of luck lads.
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Pendejo added 16:44 - Aug 9 COYB!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Will be passing close to Fulham's ground @ 18:30 give me something to about over when crossing Hammersmith Flyover please
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MancBlue86 added 16:46 - Aug 9 Fair play to Bajner, he has come in and worked his arse off to earn himself a contract and now earned himself a starting berth. Good luck to him, got a feeling he will score today
3

TimmyH added 16:56 - Aug 9 Surprised Mick has given Bajner his debut first game of the season but he has worked hard and also surprised Hewitt starts in right midfield but I guess that's down to the injury to Anderson. No surprise about Tabby coming in though. All the best lads, personally feel this will be a draw, either 1-1 or 0-0.
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oldegold added 16:59 - Aug 9 Looks like MM totally defensive formation which cost us points last season.No attacking guile with all three forwards on the bench and midfielders galore. We paid the price last season..and we are playing at home as well. Incredible...
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stevelincsexile added 17:01 - Aug 9 Long ball game then.
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oldegold added 17:01 - Aug 9 No youngsters there again..only Marriott and he is on the bench.Our youth section might as well pack up under MM..
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Sergio added 17:09 - Aug 9 Oldegold - Mings & Hewitt?! Hyam is well over the hill aswell!!!
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truckerblue added 17:13 - Aug 9 First ball hasn't even been kicked yet and the moaners are out already! I'm not overly impressed with the midfield but hell give them a chance for Christ sake.
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Stato added 17:18 - Aug 9 Not just one big lump up front but two and a defender in midfield, and Tabb !!! After a whole season of watching ham and skuse mm still hasn't dealt with the lack of creativity from the centre. Welcome to another season of Mccarthy dross. And never mind talking about the moaners, the happy clappy brigade will cheer any rubbish dished up at Portman Road.
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truckerblue added 17:49 - Aug 9 Murph your leading scorer!! Coyb
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battyblue added 18:18 - Aug 9 looks out of his depth first half
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Luka added 19:55 - Aug 9 OLDEGOLD - you look like a bit of an arse, now!
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