Town include two trialists in the reserve squad travelling to face Watford on Wednesday night (KO 7pm). Youngsters John Paul Kelly and Dean McDonald have both been given games in the U18s but this will be their first test in the reserves.

Kelly, 17, left Liverpool earlier in the season to return to his native Ireland after suffering from homesickness.

The Irish U19 international midfielder is keen to give his professional career another go and has been on trial with the Blues since before Christmas. A number of other clubs, including Aston Villa, Celtic and old club Liverpool, are also said to be chasing him.

Striker or midfielder McDonald scored two goals for the Town U18s just before the holiday period in a 3-0 win over Fulham. McDonald, 18, was released by the Gunners in the summer and has also had a trial at Wycombe Wanderers.

The squad also includes a number of very young Academy players due to the U18s playing their FA Youth Cup fourth round game at Stoke City on the same night.

Striker Tony Boto and midfielder or full-back Luke Webster are players who are set to join the Academy set-up full-time next season.

The most senior players in the squad are Pablo Couñago, Dean Bowditch, Matt Richards, Lewis Price and Scott Mitchell.

Reserves: Lewis Price, Scott Mitchell, Matt Richards, John Paul Kelly, Jerrome Sobers, Ben Patten, Liam Manning, Daniel Flack, Pablo Couñago, Dean Bowditch, Dean McDonald, Adem Atay, Tony Boto, Luke Webster, Kieron Leabon.

Photo: Action Images

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