Town's U18s lost 2-1 at Southampton on Saturday, midfielder Fraser Beveridge putting the Blues ahead but Nathan Dyer and Tim Sparv hitting back for the Saints.

Better news for Town was the return of Northern Irish schoolboy international Chris Casement. The central defender missed out on the FA Youth Cup fifth round win against Aston Villa through injury, having put in a man of the match display in the previous round at Stoke.

The youngsters continue their cup campaign on Wednesday night when the take on Colchester United in a quarter-final at Layer Road (KO 7.30pm).

Colchester have already sold 800 tickets to the tie and are expecting a crowd in excess of 2,000.

The U's are segregating fans for the game with Town supporters given blocks E, F, G, H, I and J and Terrace Six.

Tickets are available from Colchester's Ticket Office - 0871 2262161 - and cost £7 for adults, £5 for concessions and £2 for under-16s.

Gerard Nash, too old to play in the Youth Cup, continued his comeback from a knee injury against the Saints, playing an hour. The Dubliner is likely to be involved in the reserves friendly against Cambridge at Playford Road on Wednesday (KO noon).

Town's U16s lost their game at Southampton 3-2 on Saturday.

Photo: Action Images

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