Town's U18s take on Spurs on Friday evening in the Portman Road leg of their FA Youth Cup semi-final (KO 7pm). Regular TWTD contributor James Ager gives us a rundown of the squads and the teams' paths to the semi-finals, starting with the Blues.

Shane Supple - Goalkeeper
Supple is an Irish goalkeeper who has been on the first team bench as cover for Kelvin Davis this season. He has represented the Republic of Ireland at U15, U16 and U17 levels. He was spotted by Town coaches whilst playing for Home Farm in Ireland.

Sammy Moore - Right-back
Moore was signed by Chelsea from Charlton for a £20,000 fee at the age of just 15. Chelsea then released him and Town snapped him up. He is a real joker, and his brother Jason used to be a pro on the books of West Ham. He has represented England at youth level.

James Krause - Left-back/Central defender
Krause hails from Bury St Edmunds and has represented England at U17 level. He joined Town at the age of 14 after being spotted playing for West Suffolk.

Chris Casement - Central defender
Casement is a strong and solid centre-back who has represented Northern Ireland at U15, U16 and U17 levels. He is the captain of the Northern Ireland youth side and he shares the captaincy at Ipswich with Liam Craig.

Aidan Collins - Central defender
Collins made his first team debut as a 16-year-old at the end of the 03/04 season as a late substitute at Derby County. He was also an unused sub in the win at Walsall last season. He has suffered a number of injuries in previous seasons, but he is making a real push for Joe Royle's first team squad. He scored Town's second goal in the last FA Youth Cup match at Colchester United.

Fraser Beveridge - Midfielder
Beveridge is a Scottish midfielder, who prefers to sit just in front of the back four. Born in Dunfermline, his father, Danny, used to play for Dunfermline and Hearts. He scored for his school in the final of the Scottish Schools Cup and that, along with a 2-1 win after extra time at Leeds last season, was his best moment in football so far.

Owen Garvan - Midfielder
Garvan is an Irish midfielder who has made quite a few reserve team appearances this season. He was an unused sub in the match against Brighton at Portman Road earlier this season and has represented the Republic of Ireland at U15, U16 and U17 levels. He turned down the chance to join Celtic, Fulham and Nottingham Forest to sign for Town. His dad was his team manager from U8 level through to U16.

Cathal Lordan - Midfielder
Lordan was spotted by Town scout Paul Doyle, who persuaded him to join Ipswich. Another Irishman who has represented his country at U13 level all the way to U18 level, he is the youngest of five children and he can play anywhere across midfield. He scored in the FA Youth Cup victory over Aston Villa at Portman Road.

Billy Clarke - Striker
Clarke is a feisty striker who joined Town at the age of 15 after being spotted by Malcolm Moore whilst playing for Maymount in Ireland. Aston Villa, Leicester City, Southampton and Everton all showed an interest in him, but he decided to join Town. He was put on standby for the senior match at Wigan earlier this season and given the number 24 shirt. He has also represented the Republic of Ireland at U15 to U19 levels. He has scored in three of the four FA Youth Cup matches so far this season.

Darryl Knights - Striker
Knights is a local lad who has played for England at U16 and U17 levels. He joined Ipswich at U9 level. He can drop back into a wide midfield position, but he prefers to play up front. He scored two goals in the 5-0 demolition of Colchester United in the last round.

Liam Craig - Midfielder
Craig is a left-footed midfielder who can also play at left-back. The Scotsman shares the captain's responsibility with Chris Casement. Craig has represented Scotland at U13 and U17 levels. He rejected the chance to join a Scottish club in order to play for Town. He sent the Blues through in the FA Youth Cup match at Stoke with two goals. He also scored against Colchester.

Jack Haverson - Defender
Haverson was signed from Fulham in the summer when he was 16. He is a tall defender who usually starts on the bench for Town's U18 side. His dad, Paul is the chief scout at West Ham United.

Andy Reynolds - Goalkeeper
Reynolds is on trial from Ridgeons League Premier Division side Lowestoft Town. The 17-year-old made his debut for the Town U18s in the 2-1 FA Premier Academy League win at the MK Dons on Saturday.

Danny Haynes - Striker
Haynes was released by Charlton Athletic in the summer. He had a trial period with Norwich City, but he decided to join Town. He is a strong lad and he never lacks commitment. He recently made his first substitute appearance at reserve team level. He scored in extra-time to send Town through against Portsmouth at Portman Road.

Charlie Sheringham - Striker
Sheringham is the son of former England striker Teddy Sheringham, who watches his son in action as much as he can. He achieved fantastic GCSE results, which could have helped him to pursue any kind of career, but he always dreamed of being a footballer. His only Town goal so far came in the 4-0 league victory over West Ham.

Liam Trotter - Midfielder
Trotter was spotted whilst playing for local side Woodbridge Town earlier this season. The tall midfielder prefers to play in the centre. He is a local lad who was educated at Northgate High School and his favourite player is Thierry Henry.

Blair Hammond - Striker
Another local lad who helped Stoke High School to win a National Schools Competition in Year 11. He joined the Academy at U14 level, but he has received a few injuries so far this season. He had absolutely no hesitation in joining Town's Academy and is a natural goalscorer. He has only scored three league goals this season.

Michael Synnott - Defender
Synnott is an Irishman who has represented his country at various youth levels. He was signed from Home Farm in Ireland after being spotted by Joe Martin and Larry Fox. He rejected the chance to join Leeds United, Nottingham Forest and Charlton Athletic in order to move to Ipswich.

Route To The Semi-Finals

Vs Portsmouth (H - Third round)
3-2 (aet) - James Krause, Bully Clarke, Danny Haynes
Town: Supple, Synnott, Krause, Beveridge (Trotter 63), Collins, Casement, Lordan, Garvan, Clarke (Haynes 74), Knights (Sheringham 105), Craig. Unused subs: Moore, Ainsley.

Vs Stoke City (H - Fourth round)
2-1 (aet) - Liam Craig (2, 1 pen)
Town: Supple, Moore, Krause, Casement, Collins, Beveridge, Garvan, Lordan, Clarke, Craig, Knights. Subs: Haverson, Ainsley, Trotter, Sheringham, Haynes.

Vs Aston Villa (H - Fifth round)
3-1 - Liam Craig, Cathal Lordan, Billy Clarke
Town: Supple, Moore, Ainsley, Beveridge (Trotter 70), Collins, Krause, Lordan (Haynes 72), Knights, Clarke, Garvan, Craig. Unused subs: Blackmore, Sheringham, Hammond.

Vs Colchester United (A - Sixth round)
5-0 - Darryl Knights (2), Aidan Collins, Liam Craig, Billy Clarke
Town: Supple, Moore, Krause, Trotter (Beveridge 77), Casement, Collins, Lordan (Haynes 77), Garvan, Clarke (Sheringham 87), Knights, Craig. Unused subs: Ainsley, Hammond.

The Blues are likely to line-up against Spurs as they did against Colchester in the last round.

A guide to the Spurs squad comes from Paul from www.spursodyssey.com.

Tommy Forecast - Goalkeeper
Recently made his debut at reserve level against Watford and he demonstrated good handling for much of the game in a 1-1 draw. Tommy made two great saves in the penalty shoot-out at Liverpool that ensured Spurs progress through the fourth round of this year's Youth Cup competition.

Phil Ifil - Right-back
The best known of the Spurs U18 side to outsiders, as he played in the first two Premiership games of the season, acquitting himself very well indeed, against no less than Harry Kewell and Lauren Robert. Spurs were unbeaten in those two games. Ifil has represented England at various levels, and featured on the Spurs first team bench three other times this season. He plays primarily for the reserves, but skippers the U18s. Ifil is a tenacious defender, but he likes to get forward too, and will be a threat down the Spurs right flank.

Leigh Mills - Centre-back
Leigh was acquired from Swindon last summer for what could turn out to be a seven-figure transfer fee, depending on his future achievements. Leigh is a commanding figure and also has captain potential, guiding his colleagues through the game. Mills surely has a bright future in the game at the highest level. Look out for him at set-pieces too.

Charlie Lee - Centre-back
Charlie may not be available for this game, as he suffered a knock in last week's Academy game. Although not as tall as Mills, and previously a right-back, Charlie has proved himself to be a very efficient centre-back indeed, drawing admiring applause from all quarters at times this season. He'll get forward for corners too.

Mark Wright - Left-back
Mark has also skippered the side in the past and has been with the Spurs academy since July 2003, having previously played for (ahem) Norwich and Charlton.

Jacques Maghoma - Midfield
Maghoma has usually played in the centre of midfield, where he likes to support the strikers, but in this campaign has often played on the right side of midfield. Maghoma is physically strong, with half an eye for goal, but more often an incisive pass.

Stuart Lewis - Midfield
Lewis is a midfield battler who used to be an Arsenal junior, but saw the light! Hailing from Welwyn Garden City, Stuart is very industrious, and will be the more defensive support for the creative instincts around him. Has also represented England at U16 and U17 level.

Jamie O'Hara - Midfield
Also joined us from Arsenal and has a few reserve games under his belt too. O'Hara has a deadly freekick, great range of passing and plenty of guts and power to go with those skills. Look out!

Charlie Daniels - Left-wing
Charlie is another player with leadership experience. Tall and fast, he often reaches good scoring positions in the box. Charlie scored the early goal at Vicarage Road that caught Watford unawares and put Spurs in the ascendancy from the start of thats crucial game.

Andy Barcham - Striker
Andy is another England international. He comes from Basildon. Whilst not that tall (5ft 9in), he is very well balanced and a strong, powerful and lightning fast player, not only in his running, but also in his reactions and thinking. Andy has scored three of Spurs' six goals of the Youth Cup run and could pop up in your penalty area at any time!

Radwan Hamed - Striker
Radwan was Barcham's partner in the Watford game, but coach Pat Holland has a number of options here. Barcham could be partnered by Claude 'Steff' Seanla, or perhaps Simon Dawkins. Whichever of the three plays, they will provide a certain degree of aerial support for Barcham, coupled with strength, pace and the ability to put the ball in the net!

The substitute keeper will probably be David Button, while other players likely to feature in the squad are Chris Riley, Troy Archibald (defenders) and Jamie Davis (right-wing). There are other impressive players eligible, but the one I would love to see is Richard Heller, a lightning fast right-winger, who hails from Bury St Edmunds. Heller has not been seen in action recently, but was an unused sub in Wednesday night's reserve game.

Route To The Semi-Finals
Vs Forest (H - Third round)
1-0 - Barcham
Spurs (4-4-2):- Forecast; Ifil (Capt.), Lee, Mills, Wright; Davis (sub Heller, 78), Maghoma, O'Hara, Daniels; Dawkins (sub Thyer, 58), Barcham
Subs not used:- Button; Riley; Lewis

Vs Liverpool (A -Fourth round)
1-1 Barcham (Spurs win 4-2 on pens)
Spurs: Tommy Forecast, Phil Ifil, Mark Wright, Stuart Lewis, Leigh Mills, Charlie Lee, Jamie Davis (Richard Heller, 112), Simon Dawkins (Radwan Hamed, 84), Andy Barcham, Jamie O'Hara, Joe Martin (Scott Thyer 58). Subs: David Button (GK), Chris Riley.

Vs Everton (H - Fifth round)
2-1 - Mills, O'Hara
Spurs (4-4-2):- Forecast; Ifil (Capt.), Mills, Lee, Wright; Maghoma, Lewis, O'Hara, Daniels; Dawkins (sub Hamed, 77), Barcham
Subs not used:- Button; Riley; Davis; Thyer

Vs Watford (A - Sixth round)
2-0 - Daniels, Barcham
Spurs (4-4-2):- Forecast; Ifil (Capt.), Mills, Lee, Wright; Maghoma, Lewis, O'Hara, Daniels (sub Davis, 56); Hamed, Barcham
Subs not used: - Button; Riley; Archibald; Seanla

Admission to the Cobbold Stand, the only one the club are opening for the game, is £6 for adults, £4 for concessions and £1 for under-16s. Season ticket holders are not entitled to free admittance as they are for reserve matches.

The second leg at Spurs is next Wednesday (KO 7pm). Seating is unreserved at White Hart Lane in the upper and lower tiers of the West Stand. Tickets are available from the Spurs Ticket Office or on the turnstiles on the night at £4 for adults and £2 for senior citizens.

The dates of the two-legged final, covered live by Sky, have changed, with the games now scheduled for Monday, April 18th and Friday, April 22nd, both matches kicking-off at 7.45pm. Should they make it, Town will be at home in the second leg.

Photo: Action Images

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