New signings Kjell Scherpen and Florentino Luis make their first appearances for the Blues as Gary O’Neil lines his side up in what looks to be a three-man backline against Rayo Vallecano (KO 3pm).

Keeper Scherpen, signed from Royale Union Saint-Gilloise last month, appears to be behind the defensive trio of skipper Dara O’Shea, Issa Diop and Jacob Greaves with Abdul Fatawu and Leif Davis wing-backs.

In midfield, Florentino, signed from Burnley earlier in the week, is joined by Marcelino Nunez, with Sindre Walle Egeli and Daizen Maeda behind Emersonn up front.

Absent from the squad are Alex Palmer, who is understood to be a target of Wrexham, Harry Clarke, who is believed to be closing in on a move to Bristol City, and Ali Al-Hamadi, whose move to Polish side Raków Częstochowa broke down earlier in the week.

Azor Matusiwa and Jack Taylor are continuing their recoveries from surgery at the end of last season, while Christian Walton and Jaden Philogene have picked up injuries in pre-season with the winger also the subject of speculation regarding his future.

Sasa Lukic, whose move from Fulham was confirmed earlier today, isn’t involved as his visa isn’t expected until Monday.

Town: Scherpen, O’Shea (c), Diop, Greaves, Fatawu, Nunez, Florentino, Davis, Walle Egeli, Maeda, Emersonn. Subs: Button, Van Oevelen, Kipre, Hirst, Johnson, Furlong, McAteer, Ogbene, Akpom, Humphreys, Mehmeti, J Clarke.

Rayo Vallecano: Batalla, Ratiu, Palazon, Lpez, Nteka, Garcia, De Frutos, Balliu, Fernandez, Valentin (c), Lejeune. Subs: Cardenas, Diaz, Alemao, El Hahaoui, ALonso, Perez, De Las Sias, Roman, Lozano, Vertrouwd. Referee: Tom Bramall (Sheffield).

Photo: ITFC/Matchday Images