Town boss Mick McCarthy has named a stronger than expected side for Tuesday’s EFL Cup first round tie at home to Stevenage. However, Brett Pitman and Shane McLoughlin are injured, while Daryl Murphy has been given time off.

“Dean Gerken, Chambo, Jonas Knudsen, Diggers, Tommy Smith, Kevin Bru, Dougie, Andre Dozzell, Freddie Sears, Conor Grant and Grant Ward,” McCarthy said, revealing his team, which is set to line-up 4-3-3, a day early as he has done previously for cup games.

The Town manager says he’s not taking the game lightly and some of his senior players will benefit from keeping their places.

“I always want to win the game,” he added. “I’ve changed 10 in the past but I think some of them will get better with games, just continuing to play.”

As for Tuesday's subs, he’s not yet made up his mind, although youngsters such as Myles Kenlock, Josh Emmanuel, James Blanchfield, Ben Morris, Tristan Nydam and Adam McDonnell are in his thoughts for the 18.

“Possibly, I’ll see,” McCarthy said. “I don’t know yet. I’ll make my mind up over tonight and tomorrow. Ben Morris, Shane McLoughlin’s injured, he’s unavailable.

“I still want my options on the bench so if I need them they can come on and change the game and hopefully win it, if needs be.”

As for those who won’t be involved, he said: “Brett Pitman’s got a bit of a thigh strain so he’ll be missing and Murph’s missing because I’ve given him a few days off because of his exploits [at the Euros] in the summer.

“If he doesn’t get it now he’ll never get it because he’ll be going away on international duty, so he’s not available for the game. He’ll be back on Wednesday, ready for Saturday. A couple of them are missing but I’ve still got Didzy and Freddie and others that are OK.”

The Town boss isn’t yet sure whether Pitman will be OK for Saturday’s visit to Brentford: “I don’t know, he’s no good for tomorrow, I’m hopeful for the weekend.

“It was just in training yesterday, he’d gone through his warm-up, it was late on in the training session, he just went to hit a ball and felt his thigh. He’s been in and he’s got a bit of fluid on it. We’re hopeful it’s not going to be too long.”

Luke Hyam and Giles Coke (both knee) are also set to be missing along with McLoughlin, who McCarthy says would have been involved but for picking up a niggle.

“It is unfortunate for Shane, it’s the same for anybody who gets an injury, especially if they think they’ve got a chance of being involved, and he would have been if he hadn’t have been injured,” he continued.

“He’s alright Shane, he’s a proper competitor, for somebody of his size he’s a real warrior. He’s brilliant in the air for his size. It is a shame, but he’ll get his chances.”

Regarding any further moves in or out, McCarthy said: “No, there’s nothing imminent but whoever comes in I hope he has the impact that Grant Ward made! No pressure whatsoever on new incomers in whatever position at Ipswich Town Football Club, just do as well as the last two that came in!”

The new FanZone on the FieldTurf behind the East of England Co-op Stand will again be open with gates opening at 6pm.

Photo: Action Images

runningout added 00:48 - Aug 9 you can get promoted and win trophies, or have a decent run in them, if you have the desire..
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ChrisFelix added 07:47 - Aug 9 With problems in the defence still I would have liked to have seen Smith & Webster together
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AJD1111 added 10:52 - Aug 9 Thought Kenlock was brilliant against Derby, shame he isn't starting. I love Chambers to bits but he is our weak link, would have been nice to see Emmanuel.
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Razor added 10:53 - Aug 9 I am quite happy with balance but hope at least one of the Grants plays WIDE as an orthodox attackinging winger--------for those old enough to remember something like Jimmy Robertson-------those WERE the days!!
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Seasider added 13:24 - Aug 9 Oh yes Razor I remember Jimmie Robertson on the wing,and Auntie(Frank Clarke) in the middle. Think Mick has got it just right;but like others would like to see Kenlock and Emmanuel later in the game. Think Mick and ME have been shaken into action re fall in season tickets,and are responding by getting in better players as well as the style of football;and now the cup games which MM hates. Happy days!

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Cheshire_Blue added 18:25 - Aug 9 I won't be going to any cup game until Clubs are compelled to play their strongest team. Their is no satisfaction in winning a competition in which some teams have fielded a sub standard eleven.
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