Town boss Mick McCarthy has named his expected very young side for this evening’s second round Carabao Cup tie at Crystal Palace with four players making debuts from the start (KO 7.30pm).

George Fowler, 19, Pat Webber, 18 (pictured), Shane McLoughlin, 20, and Ben Folami, 18, are all handed their senior debuts, while Luke Woolfenden, 18, makes his first start.

Dean Gerken, 32, is in goal and skippers with Woolfenden at right-back, Fowler and Webber the centre-halves and Tristan Nydam, 17, at left-back.

In central midfield, Flynn Downes, 18, is partnered by Adam McDonnell, 20, with on-loan Manchester City winger Bersant Celina, 20, on the left and Danny Rowe, 25, on the right. McLoughlin and Folami are up front.

The team, which McCarthy says is the youngest he has fielded in his 25 years as a manager. The outfielders have an average age of 19.3 with Downes, Nydam and Rowe the only ones to have played on Saturday, when they all came on as subs. Town name just the five subs.

Palace make seven changes from the team which lost 1-0 at Liverpool but still include five players who would be considered first-team regulars.

Former Blues defender Damien Delaney isn’t included in the 18, while there is also no place for former loanee Jonny Williams. Andros Townsend, another one-time loanee is on the bench, but Connor Wickham is still injured.

Crystal Palace: Speroni, Ward, Dann, Kelly, Van Aanholt, Puncheon (c), McArthur, Schlupp, Lokilo, Kaikai, Cabaye. Subs: Hennessey, Tomkins, Lee, Fosu-Mensah, Milivojevic, Townsend, Benteke.

Town: Gerken (c), Woolfenden, Fowler, Webber, Nydam, Rowe, McDonnell, Downes, Celina, McLoughlin, Folami. Subs: Crowe, Morris, Patterson, McKendry, C Smith. Referee: Andy Davies (Hampshire).

Photo: Larry McQuillan/Drogheda United

cressi added 18:46 - Aug 22 Maybe Damien to Town 6 month loan
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Chicago_Blue added 18:51 - Aug 22 I think a bit of experience (other than Gerken) would have been good. Maybe get Waghorn 90 minutes perhaps, as he's not played a full game yet. Although the selection makes a lot of sense and it's great to see youngsters get a chance, I can't help but think that the winning momentum could be lost tonight - it's a good habit to have.
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Superblue95 added 18:51 - Aug 22 That palace team is much stronger than I expected. Anyone expecting an upset is a more ambitious man than me
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milliem added 18:54 - Aug 22 Let's face it, unless you reach the semis, it's a Micky Mouse competition for micky mouse teams. Nobody with any sense takes it seriously. I understand that our friends from up the A140 won it a couple times so to them it's the big time. They have to have something to put in their trophy cabinet apart from the Norfolk Senior Cup
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Garv added 19:01 - Aug 22 Why?
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itfcserbia added 19:07 - Aug 22 Very strong side from Palace. COYBB!
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jas0999 added 19:08 - Aug 22 Very odd in my opinion. Surely we have stronger options? Yes, I know we have injuries, but equally we knew some of these players were injured or injury prone. Why we didn't beef the squad up is beyond me. That said Palace haven't named their strongest team either.
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OwainG1992 added 19:09 - Aug 22 I agree that wholesale changes were needed. Would have liked 1 or 2 experienced players on the bench. This does put a lot of pressure on the Fulham game now. Best of luck lads!!! #coyb
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muccletonjoe added 19:12 - Aug 22 Don't underestimate these young players , they have been taught the game well and wont be a walk over
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brian_a_mul added 19:15 - Aug 22 Will be interesting to see downes and McDonnell in the engine room together, expect Nydam and Celina coming in to supporting the midfielders
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Paulc added 19:18 - Aug 22 Spot on from Mick. why risk any injury or suspension in the current circumstances.
3

HALLSJ added 19:22 - Aug 22 Just give a good account of yourselves boys
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GeoffSentence added 19:23 - Aug 22 Any other season I would be slating MM for this team selection. This season we have made a great, but fragile start. I fully support Mick with his decision to protect our few remaining first teamers. Come on young 'uns show the world what you've got.
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EssexTractor added 19:23 - Aug 22 Over a day ago MM announced his intentions of team selection Anyone purchasing a ticket before then would have , via history, known there would be team changes and in the light of injuries even more team changes, as we now know there have been. Of course we don't wish upon ourselves team losses and we hope that some of these young lads do come out of it with new worthwhile experiences, irrespective of the score. I see no point in having regulars playing any part tonight in all of the circumstances. And also if this experimental side does lose I cannot see that it will have any effect upon those who have contributed so well in the previous matches or upon Saturday's Fulham match. But the experience may be more worthwhile in taking these lads careers forward , more than the majority of their usual outings. And tonight they are in the Ipswich First Team Good luck to them all.

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carsey added 19:24 - Aug 22 I'm wishing the youngsters the very best of luck and hope they don't get hammered. Normally I'm one of those slagging McCarthy off for playing a weakened team in cup matches but on this occasion I think he's done the right thing. I only hope the players being rested for Fulham do the job on Saturday otherwise tonight will have been a pointless exercise. I'm also hoping to see Chris Smith get on the pitch being a young footballing centre half from my neck of the woods it would be very pleasing.. COYBs

3

flimflam added 19:25 - Aug 22 Nothing to lose and much to gain. We may have more talent at the club than we realise so a chance for them to make their mark on MM and the fans. Excited actually.
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dalianwasexciting added 19:28 - Aug 22 MM has no choice - we simply cannot afford any more injuries to first team squad players, or of course a suspension for a rash tackle or two. What irks a bit is that Kevin Bru at least could have played had he been registered and not just left languishing - clearly he is not here to stay but what is there to lose in registering him? Whilst Palace have put out a changed side it still has bags of Premier League experience and a bench with more internationals on it. I will be amazed if the game is not as one sided as we expect, and that is not to take anything away from the youngsters.

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BlueandTruesince82 added 19:36 - Aug 22 No issue. What choice is there. Pleased Folami is getting a game as he sounds really promising. Great experience for them and good for development.
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whosroundisitanyway added 19:39 - Aug 22 Bet Gerks nicks all the Haribo at half time!
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trevski added 19:43 - Aug 22 Only 5 on the bench? I would have at least had the other two as a couple of the senior players (either Garner or Waghorn and maybe Skuse) as a JUST IN CASE. I say good luck to the youngsters and looking forward to seeing what a lot of them possess. I probably would have started Morris instead of Folami but that's only because I have seen more of Morris play. I do agree with Micks plan. I would rather play youngsters in this match and rest the seniors in what has been a very busy month rather then them risk getting injured. Good luck lads and show why the Ipswich youth has always been awesome

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RoyalAscotBlue added 19:50 - Aug 22 Good luck tonight boys. Tough task against a decent lineup of far more experienced pros.
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SohoBlue added 20:23 - Aug 22 Pretty good Ipswich team of youngsters. I'd back them to give a very good account of themselves. Steal a win lads, I dare you!
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