Town's Academy players are in action on the main Portman Road pitch on Wednesday night in the FA Youth Cup third round match against Notts County. The squad have been preparing for the match by training on the pitch early this week.

Manager Ian Smith says that few of the squad had too much experience of playing at Portman Road: "Only four of the squad have played on the main pitch before so we thought it would be a good preparation for them to have a work-out at the ground," he told the club site.

"They were a bit in awe to start off with and were looking around at the stands but they soon settled down and the boys are really looking forward to the occasion."

The most familiar name in the squad is that of Matt Richards who made his first team debut in the UEFA Cup match at Avenir Beggen earlier in the season and who has made two subsequent sub appearances in the senior side.

Dean Bowditch will be known to some fans after starring for the England U17s last season while Chris Hogg has been involved with England squads and in the Town reserves. Erkan Okay and Sam Morrow have also started to get involved in reserve sides of late.

The Notts County side includes Emmet Friars, the brother of former Town winger Sean, now with Derry City. The Magpies beat Scunthorpe 4-0 in the last round of the U18 competition.

The game kicks-off at Portman Road at 7pm with admission £3 for adults and £1 for concessions.

Wednesday evening also sees the new Planet Blue club shop open until 8pm for late night shopping. A number of first team players will be on hand to sign autographs.

Squad: Scott Peat, Erkan Okay, Stuart Boardley, Aidan Collins, Chris Hogg, Scott Mitchell, Daniel Flack, Matt Richards, Sam Morrow, Dean Bowditch, Scott Barron, Antonio Murray, Floyd Croll, Gerard Nash, Victor Hill, Craig Reid, Adem Atay and Liam Manning.

Photo: Action Images

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