Town boss Kieran McKenna has made three changes from his last Premier League team for this evening’s home game against Brighton & Hove Albion with Omari Hutchinson a surprise starter alongside Kalvin Phillips and Wes Burns with captain Sam Morsy on the bench.

Christian Walton continues in goal against his old club with Burns wide on the right and Leif Davis on the left with McKenna sticking with the back three of Dara O’Shea, who skippers, Luke Woolfenden and Jacob Greaves despite the signing of Ben Godfrey, who is among the subs.

Phillips, who is ineligible for Sunday’s game against his parent club Manchester City, partners Jens Cajuste in the double pivot with Hutchinson, who had been out with a groin problem and was expected to be a sub at best, and Nathan Broadhead behind number nine Liam Delap.

In addition to Morsy, on the bench in a league game for the Blues for only the second time, the first at Oxford in March 2022, and Godfrey, striker George Hirst is back on the bench in the league for the first time since November.

Brighton, who have former Town central defender Adam Webster captaining, make four changes from the team which won 4-0 in the FA Cup at Norwich at the weekend with Joao Pedro OK to start after an ankle injury, replacing Georginio Rutter, who is among the subs.

Bart Verbruggen returns in goal for Jason Steele, while Matt O'Riley and Simon Adingra replace Julio Enciso and Yankubah Minteh, with all three players dropping out on the bench, alongside club captain Lewis Dunk, ex-England international Danny Welbeck and Solly March.


Town: Walton, O’Shea (c), Woolfenden, Greaves, Davis, Phillips, Cajuste, Burns, Hutchinson, Broadhead, Delap. Subs:  Muric, Johnson, Godfrey, Townsend, Morsy, Luongo, Taylor, J Clarke, Hirst. 

Brighton: Verbruggen, Webster (c), Joao Pedro, Adingra, Baleba, Mitoma, Ayari, Van Hecke, Estupinan, O'Riley, Veltman. Subs: Steele, Lamptey, Dunk, March, Enciso, Georginio, Moder, Minteh, Welbeck. Referee: Tony Harrington (Cleveland). VAR: Michael Salisbury.

Photo: Matchday Images

Stato added 19:06 - Jan 16 Glad to see Morsy finally dropped as has been overplayed by KM for last 3 years. Hutchinson needs to start providing some goal involvements as he has really lost form this season.
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Edmundo added 19:08 - Jan 16 That is a strong bench. First time I've thought that this season. COYB
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Leejames99 added 19:11 - Jan 16 Perplexed at the Burns selection after Sunday, surely be better Omari on right, Broadhead in 10 and J Clarke on left. Can only think Burns is in shooting window, he did okay against Chelsea so in Mckenna we trust, roll on Phillogene as that line up is great aside Burns in my humble opinion, glad Morsy on bench, think he will struggle to get back in (although he might on Sunday vs City as Phillips can't play) we may have Matic by then or I'd play J Taylor before Morsy, he given away too many folks that led to goals really. Club legend though We are nearing a really good team now to keep us up. Good feeling tonight. COYB

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jonnysuave added 19:22 - Jan 16 My Morsy poster will never come down
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dirtydingusmagee added 19:26 - Jan 16 Leejames, think Kamara may be the target as opposed to Matic ,could be wrong
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TimmyH added 19:26 - Jan 16 Once again no Burgess in the 16!?!...and Burns starting again
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Leejames99 added 19:31 - Jan 16 @dirtydustingmagee Kamara would also be great. I just can't get head round Burns starting, shop window maybe I think, we see, prob get MOM
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Leejames99 added 20:23 - Jan 16 First half, fair play to 10 of them, Burns just runs about and passes to thin air or an opponent, just jogging about chewing gum. Hopefully he will come off and move Omari to right Broadhead in 10 and J Clarke on left. Aside that we look great, feeling Woolfeden will stay which be great being an Ipswich lad. Let's see what it's like with Clarke on left where Philogene will be and Omari on right. Hope Broadhead gets his first goal tonight. COYB

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