Town boss Mick McCarthy says he'd have no qualms about handing 17-year-old right-back Josh Emmanuel his debut at Brentford on Saturday with Jonny Parr a confirmed absentee.

“He’s not fit, he’s still carrying his thigh injury that he picked up in one of the pre-season friendlies,” McCarthy said regarding the Norwegian full-back.

“[I’d have no qualms about playing] Josh Emmanuel. Playing him doesn’t worry me at all, he’ll be fine.”

McCarthy outlined what he likes about the Academy product: “His attitude, for one. The pace and power of him, nobody’s going to bully him physically because in this league you can get done if you’re not physically ready. Well, he’s all of that.

“Emotionally ready? Well, if he plays, we’ll find out. Technically ready? I think he’s certainly got good ability, he’s got to work on that, the understanding of the game and defending.

“But if he has to play, he’s got to play and I think he’s done really well in the games.”

Everybody else is fit aside from Luke Hyam, who is sidelined for around another three months having undergone knee surgery earlier in the summer.

Skipper Luke Chambers is set to move into the centre of the defence alongside Tommy Smith with Christophe Berra suspended for one match following his red card in the play-offs at the end of last season. Jonas Knudsen is set for his debut at left-back.

Photo: Action Images

ArnieMsBigToe added 16:10 - Aug 6 BattyBlue. I was just about to mark you down . . . . and then I saw the funny side. . .
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tractorboybig added 16:14 - Aug 6 he has no qualms because he has failed to sort the problem out.(Well may be the club not him personally)
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footyblue added 16:19 - Aug 6 Play the lad he is a RB after all Chambers and Smith in the middle for sure as they are a solid pair make players fight for their place there should be no guaranteed starters if you come in play well then you should keep your place no matter who you are
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Seasider added 16:20 - Aug 6 Seems like I am agreeing with a lot on this website today! I feel that youth should be given a chance.Sir Bobby used to introduce at least one youngster a year,and he didn't do badly did he?Hope Mick will follow suit,even if he is looking for a more senior player to fill the right back role. With the squad he has,especially if he adds a couple more,then he could become Claudio McCarthy the Tinkerman of the Championship lol. Don't think that's likely;but several players were involved in nearly every game last season,and I think it did show in the latter stages;so we only just managed to scrape into the playoffs. This time round hopefully he will be in a position to rotate the squad a little,to (a) keep all the players happy and retain the club spirit and (b)keep players fit for the run in;which knowing this league will be as tight as ever come April.

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runaround added 16:23 - Aug 6 Unless we buy a right back in the next 24 hours Emmanuel has to start. If we don't give him the opportunity now when will we?
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TimmyH added 16:29 - Aug 6 Mick was hardly willing to give Elliot Hewitt much of a chance in the RB position but seems 'fine' with this 17 year old with little experience...little cover comes to mind!
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footyblue added 16:31 - Aug 6 But MM also said that about Matt Clarke last season but when push came to shove he loaned in Zeki Fryers IMO was a waste of time and money as he was very disapointing
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Bluetone added 16:40 - Aug 6 We still need a first choice quality goalkeeper if we are serious about aiming for promotion this season.
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Len_Brennan added 16:41 - Aug 6 @TimmyH: Mick did play Hewitt at RB in the first game of last season & saw enough in that match to revert to Chambers. To be fair to Mick he is not against giving youth a chance; he has proven that with Mings & Bishop (also countering the argument against playing creative players), but he has excpectations of them and if they don't so what he wants, has no problem dropping them back to the bench or worse. Even Henshall last pre-season looked like he had a chance, was responsible for a soft goal in one of the last games and dropped out of contention.

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Razor added 16:42 - Aug 6 I would be worried.
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Bergholtblue added 16:57 - Aug 6 Every year it seems that some Town fans need a scapegoat to moan about when things don't always go our way. Recent incumbents being the likes of Jermaine Wright, Glen Pennyfather, Grant Leadbitter, Tomas Priskin, Frank Nouble, etc etc So now its Jay Tabb's turn is it? Just so I know.
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steve_mcalls_teeth added 17:00 - Aug 6 Emmanuel's got good lats by the look of the photo - not the first thing managers look for I know...I hope IF he starts he does great because we are a bit thin on defenders at the moment. I think thats the only area that worries me about the squad - an injury or suspension and we are galloping saddleless up diahorrea drive. Looking forward to the season, and hoping for a fourth place finish at least and a second leg home game in the play off lottery. Be great if we could start at Brentford like we did at christmas last year ! Hoping Douglas scores ! COYB !

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TimmyH added 17:17 - Aug 6 1 game! - c'mon @Len_Brannan, that game was on the box and I thought he did ok, and wasn't he pushed into right midfield?
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Bluedandy added 17:32 - Aug 6 Sure Emmanuel can handle the occasion ... to put into perspective ... Burley debuted aged 17 against Man Utd at Old Trafford and had to mark George Best.
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blues1 added 17:42 - Aug 6 len brennan. not sure how you think playing Emmanuel would upset the whole back four? clearly Knudsen will play left back neway, chambers would move to his best position in centre, and smith to his best position on left of central 2 as against Utrecht. so no disruption at all really.
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muccletonjoe added 17:46 - Aug 6 He's a good lad, will do well. Delighted for him
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jas0999 added 17:56 - Aug 6 I wish him all the very best and hope he does well, having a long and successful career with us. What disappoints me though, is parr has had injuries all pre season and we have known since May that Berra would miss the first game. Mick States a defender is his priority. So, how on earth have we got into a situation where we don't have enough senior defenders for the first game of the season? December, I'd understand, but we have had ample time to ensure cover is in place. I find it very strange.

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Suffolk_n_Good added 19:04 - Aug 6 Spot on jas0999 👏🏼
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Warkys_Tash added 19:28 - Aug 6 Nice to see players get their chance from the Academy, I am all for it. Although, I do hope we are not rueing the opening day result & 'comparing apples with pears', Mick. We have need a quality Right back for some time now & you have had all summer to sign one.
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ArnieM added 20:33 - Aug 6 Anyone else getting the feeling that Parr might not be with us much longer? I do feel sorry for him because he's been sidelined by youngsters (Mings, Jonas and Emmanuel) getting the nod ahead of him. Yes i know Parr is carrying a knock, but I found M'S comments after Jonas debut that Parr might now be feeling fit again having seen Jonas' debut. I almost get feeling Parr is not in favour with MM for some reason?

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Hegansheroes added 21:01 - Aug 6 Bet Tabb gets a place in the team somewhere , could even be in goal.
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ArnieM added 21:27 - Aug 6 Is Tabb this season's choice for the (some) fans to boo ? Pathetic
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GiveusaWave added 08:53 - Aug 7 Tabb is one of our best players. He can play left midfield, central midfield or left back. He always gives his all and alongside Murphy, Berra and Bru is an obvious choice for the first 11. I could understand the criticism of Ellington, Lisbie, Fallon, Parkin etc. Simply don't understand the criticism of Tabb. Like a good wine he gets better with age and at 35/36 he could still be making a significant impact in the game. Personally, I hope he becomes a a Town Legend by scoring the deciding goal in the play-off final versus QPR.

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