Town’s U21s are in Professional Development League Two South action against Cardiff City at Playford Road this afternoon (KO 1pm).

The young Blues are currently eighth in PDL2 South with the Bluebirds a point behind in 10th.

Cieran Slicker returns to the XI, indicating that Christian Walton wll be in the senior squad which faces Hull City this evening.

Mathaeus Roberts, who recently joined the Blues after leaving Arsenal at the end of last season, makes his first U21s start.

Meanwhile, Town are one of a number of clubs reportedly eyeing 18-year-old Shelbourne striker Gavin Hodgins.

According to the Irish Mirror, the Blues, this evening’s opponents Hull City and Dutch side AZ Alkmaar, Town’s 1981 UEFA Cup final opponents, are all keeping tabs on Hodgins, who has scored 16 goals this season for the Dublin club’s U19s this season at a rate of a goal every 55 minutes.

The Irish U19 international has already made six League of Ireland Premier Division appearances for Shels, but would almost certainly be viewed as one for the development squad if Town are showing interest.

Elsewhere, the U18s are in Suffolk Premier Cup action against AFC Sudbury at the MEL Group Stadium this evening (KO 7.45pm).

U21s: Slicker, Jambang, H Barbrook, O'Connor, Baggott, F Barbrook (c), Ward, Humphreys, Foyo, Roberts, Ayinde. Subs: Williamson, Lavin, Oudnie-Morgan, Valentine, Boatswain.

Photo: Blair Ferguson

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