Town's U18s will be without defenders Chris Casement and Michael Synnott when they face Aston Villa in the fifth round of the FA Youth Cup at Portman Road on Wednesday night (KO 7pm).

Northern Irish central defender Casement was the man of the match in the fourth round victory at Stoke and will be a big loss. Republic of Ireland full-back Synnott, a reserves regular, has a knee injury.

Academy director Bryan Klug says the pair will be missed: "It's a blow because they are two important players for us.

"It's a big match and we could have done with a full squad of players but we have got other boys available who will be looking to come in and it gives them an opportunity to show what they can do."

Town have withdrawn midfield linchpin Owen Garvan from the Ireland U17 squad facing Slovenia so he can play in the game against Villa, losing finalists in last year's competition.

If the Blues win the tie they will face Colchester United at Layer Road in round six.

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