Town hand the expected debuts to 17-year-old Matt Clarke, keeper Bartosz Bialkowski and winger Alex Henshall, while Jack Marriott and Kevin Bru make their first Blues starts and there’s a rare start for transfer-listed Paul Taylor in tonight’s Capital One Cup first round tie at Crawley.

Clarke lines-up at left-back with Elliott Hewitt at right-back and skipper Luke Chambers and Christophe Berra at the heart of the defence.

In central midfield Bru partners Anthony Wordsworth with Henshall on the left and Taylor likely to be on the right. Marriott is up front with Frank Nouble.

The bench includes Luke Hyam, who was subbed with cramp late on on Saturday, Dean Gerken and Balint Bajner, as well as youngsters Byron Lawrence, Darren McQueen, Teddy Bishop and Ben Wyatt. Tyrone Mings and Jay Tabb travelled with the squad but are rested.

Crawley: Jensen, Oyebanjo, Bradley, Leacock, Walsh (c), Edwards, Henderson, Smith, Bawling, Young, McLeod. Subs: Dickson, Banya, Essam, Rose, O’Connor, Richefond, Isaacs.

Town: Bialkowski, Hewitt, Chambers (c), Berra, Clarke, Bru, Wordsworth, Taylor, Henshall, Nouble, Marriott. Subs: Gerken, Wyatt, Lawrence, Hyam, Bishop, McQueen, Bajner. Referee: Andy Haines (Tyne and Wear).

Photo: Action Images

jas0999 added 19:19 - Aug 12 I still think this is a half decent team, which should beat Crawley. However, it does demonstrate what a small squad we have. Taylor not in favour, yet Mick is almost forced to start with him! We need reinforcements if we have any ambition to challenge the top 6.
5

Fatcatevans added 19:23 - Aug 12 Seems MM gets stick if he picks Taylor or doesn't pick him? Let's just move on and get behind the Team , Management and the shirt
0

jas0999 added 19:25 - Aug 12 Fatcatevans - stick? Who from? My point is he is out of favour, yet picked due to small squad size. To clarify, I have no issue with his inclusion.
5

MarkFish added 19:28 - Aug 12 It's got 3 - 3 written all over it.
2

Ipswich_Loyal added 19:30 - Aug 12 Taylor is in the shop window tonight.
2

4-4-2 added 19:32 - Aug 12 Am I the only one that is more excited about this team than the one that started against Fulham on Saturday?
0

Jimmy86 added 19:33 - Aug 12 I wonder if this is a case of taylor playing due to 1) small squad or 2) putting him in the shop window or 3) both 1 and 2. Question has to be asked is what will mick do IF Taylor grabs this chance with both hands and plays well and does the dirty jobs well. Will he put him in the squad for reading or freeze him out again?? If he does play well tonight he should be treated the same as all the other fringe players and be given a chance in the first team or at least be in the squad

4

HarryfromBath added 19:38 - Aug 12 This may be tempting fate, but Lewis Young, Crawley's right-winger, hasn't really put a foot right this season (including pre-season games) according to their fans, and was substituted against Barnsley on Saturday. Matt Clarke could have made his debut against a far more dangerous opponent. The one real threat Crawley seem to have is from set-pieces. Henderson has a decent corner in him and McLeod scored a good header on Saturday. Their mostly first-choice defence is decent, but their midfield isn't physically strong and lacks tenacity. If we can get a lead, it would make sense to put Hyam on for the last half-an-hour, as he should have too much for their midfield. It's a pity our bench isn't stronger, but Reading has to be the priority. It seems like ages since we have won a cup match, and it would be great to keep the momentum of Saturday going. COYB!

3

Lightningboy added 19:46 - Aug 12 Would've preferred to see Bishop or McQueen given their chance ahead of surplus to requirements Taylor..pointless playing him.
1

simonkos added 19:47 - Aug 12 I think it is just going to give our fringe players to play to their best and get a boot into the first team and play for Saturday
1

Bluetone added 19:48 - Aug 12 Be a bit id a bugga for McCarthy if Taylor plays really well and bags a couple of three goals. Same goes for Marriott.
1

Bluetone added 19:49 - Aug 12 id = of
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BlueandTruesince82 added 19:56 - Aug 12 No one wants Taylor and Mick wants him out. Sales pitch! Its his last chance to offload him, I suspect he's on a free. If not its a loan and us paying at least some of the 8 grand a week he is allegedly on. On a lighter note palace are rumoured to be on the verge of signing a new MF, perhaps Jonniesta will ride the plains of Portman Rd? Especially if we can cover all his wages. It's a dream.

2

superkevinwilson added 19:57 - Aug 12 Is anyone just going to say good luck to the town instead of picking at everything. Mick has picked a team that he believes win and has been able rest some first team starters. Come on town
4

bohslegend added 20:47 - Aug 12 It's amazing how many lie in wait to criticise. The team that played and beat Fulham on Saturday was criticised before KO but most of the same critics went silent after, only to pop their heads up to have a go again tonight. No pleasing some.
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bedsitfc added 20:49 - Aug 12 Wordsworth and Taylor fear the we may go out
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bedsitfc added 20:49 - Aug 12 Wordsworth and Taylor fear the we may go out
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BlueMachines added 21:05 - Aug 12 To answer those who have asked the question 'what will MM do if Taylor plays well and does the dirty things'. He'll do exactly what he did last season and drop him.
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LWNR2013 added 21:43 - Aug 12 Another 'blinder' from PT then. At 8k pw that's £100 per minute. Wow.
0

HALLSJ added 22:20 - Aug 12 S..t as normal....
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