Town boss Mick McCarthy has confirmed that he will field an entirely changed XI in Tuesday’s Carabao Cup second round tie at Crystal Palace, a side which he says will be the youngest team he has named in his 25 years as a manager.

McCarthy says one or two of his senior players picked up minor problems in Saturday’s 2-0 home victory over Brentford, but says they wouldn’t have featured at Selhurst Park in any case.

“Bart took a knock but Bart wouldn’t be playing tomorrow anyway,” he said. “Wardy got a kick on his calf.

“David McGoldrick’s wife is expecting tomorrow, I believe, so he’s with his family, as you’d expect.

“So that leaves me eight fit first-team players, none of whom will be involved. Four defenders, that’s what I’ve got. None of them will be playing because I can’t risk a sending off or an injury.

“So it’ll be all-change, every one of them. I’m not going to apologise for that because I have to do it, but if you are coming tomorrow expect to see the kids and that’s the way it’s going to be.

“And if you are coming, come and support them and give them the support that you give to the first-teamers who would play normally.”

He added: “It’s not sacrificing [the cup] for the league, it’s sacrificing it for the good of players who just keep playing.

“I haven’t got enough, I’ve got so many injuries. Emyr Huws was going to play, he was going to speak to you guys, but he’s gone in for treatment again today. That just tells you how many injuries I’ve got.

“And it’s important, we’ve got a home game on Saturday and if we could win it, it’ll be tough because Fulham are a good side, it would mean a great month and a great start for us. I doubt we’re going to win the Carabao Cup anyway, I just haven’t got the squad to cope with it.”

Regarding Huws, he added: “I’m assuming [it's his achilles] because he just said, ‘Gaffer, I’ve got to go in’, so I’m assuming that’s the case. He went in and I’ve not been in the physio room to check.

"Assumption is the mother of all cock-ups but it’s a pretty easy one to assume.”

Was he willing to give an idea of his team? “Flynn Downes will be playing because he’s spoken to you. Gerks [Dean Gerken] will be playing, he’ll be the captain. Tristan Nydam will be playing and after that you’ll have to find out.”

McCarthy also confirmed that Bersant Celina would make his second start for the Blues, his first having come in the first round victory at Luton.

In addition to Downes, Nydam and Celina, Ben Morris, Pat Webber, Luke Woolfenden, Chris Smith, George Fowler, Ben Folami, Conor McKendry, Michael Crowe, Adam McDonnell, Monty Patterson and Shane McLoughlin are all likely to be in the squad which travels.

If they’re involved, Morris, Webber, Smith, Fowler, Folami, McKendry, sub keeper Crowe, Patterson and McLoughlin will be making their senior Blues debuts. Woolfenden will make his full debut if he starts having featured as a sub at Luton.

Tom Adeyemi is still having treatment on his calf injury, while Tommy Smith (hamstring), Luke Chambers (ankle), Adam Webster (ankle), Teddy Bishop (hernia operation) and Andre Dozzell (cruciate) remain sidelined.

Photo: TWTD

The_Romford_Blue added 18:42 - Aug 21 Fair enough. Still buzzing for my 3rd away day of the season. COYFB!
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Swn98 added 18:44 - Aug 21 Cat old problems? he done the best he could with what he was given and kept us up last season.This season we are unbeaten he has explained the reasons for the team tomorrow what more can the man do. I think there are some so called supporters will never be on his side their choice of course for what ever reasons.
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RobTheMonk added 18:46 - Aug 21 I see this as a win win to be honest. It's a great opportunity for some of the young lads to get game time against what has the potential to be very good opposition. If they go on the win then GREAT. If not then we're out of the crappy cup to premier league opponents. Let's be real here - no one gives a sh1t about the Carabao Cup. We can't be dealing with anymore injuries at the moment of our senior players. I can understand some frustrations though about paying to watch what is a borderline youth team.

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BronxBoyo added 18:50 - Aug 21 Excited to see some of the youngsters get a bit of a run. Tomorrow will give us an opportunity to see what help we may have within the club without bing dependant on loans/transfers. Best of luck to the lads!
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Norfolk_Blue94 added 19:16 - Aug 21 I'm very excited to see Chris Smith who, according to the official ITFC website, is 116 years old!
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coolcat added 19:18 - Aug 21 Will be going tomorrow to support the lads. Looking forward to it. :)
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StokeHigh97 added 19:28 - Aug 21 Tell me another team in the championship that could cope with 9-11 first team players out injured? So for anyone to say we don't have a strong squad is laughable if everyone is fit we have 2 players for each position: we only need a Centre Back & maybe a right winger:
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Seasider added 19:40 - Aug 21 Well the leopard hasn't changed all his spots;but this season he has a valid reason unlike previously. Seem to recall though that when this happened previously we lost the subsequent league match; lets hope history isn't repeated this year! Cant see why cant have an experienced bench.
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cat added 20:00 - Aug 21 Swn98 first & foremost, I would like to say I'm enjoying your non antagonistic posts to the point where you have had 2 uppers from me today, it also saves me from going into rant mode, so fair play to you. I don't buy into this new improved MM pony, good fortune with the fixtures, coupled with injuries forcing selection do not give an accurate insight into his 'new' supposed mindset. Basically his a stubborn old goat, I've tried to warm to him but his utter contempt for the fans don't do it for me at all. Let's see where we are at in a couple of months before we pass final judgement. I will endeavour to give credit where credits due, and will support the club and the team. I am enjoying the start to the season, who wouldn't, so until such a time, let's enjoy the moment.

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Swn98 added 20:41 - Aug 21 Agree cat, said over on the forum lets not get excited i think saturday will show how far we have improved or not must say its been a very enjoyable season so far . Having seen quiet a few of the proposed players at Kings lynn when we played them must say they didnt look to good apart from Patterson. Gerks should keep us in it if hes up to his best they deserve their chance so i shall be there giving them my full support its lovely to be looking forward to games again. It would be great if some of the players excel and give Mickma a selection headache when everyone's fit .COYB and safe journey to all travelling Tractorboys and Girls

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bressinghamblue added 21:00 - Aug 21 I'm in the MM Out camp, even after our fantastic start, but on this occasion you can't fault his logic. With the injuries we have, the league has to be the priority. If it was January and the FA Cup then I might feel differently.
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carlo88 added 21:05 - Aug 21 Great decision, and absolutely relieved to hear that, I was dreading a first teamer getting injured. It's now a win-win situation. Let's regroup after the international break.
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Gazelle added 21:05 - Aug 21 Might be a good idea to keep to light training for the others this week in case someone else gets hurt.
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Ebantiass added 21:10 - Aug 21 You can't blame mick for the injury list, I believe he's doing the right thing with the kids getting a chance to progress. Palarse will also rest many first teamers so who knows what will happen.
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Morgan added 21:57 - Aug 21 Pleased to read this. With injuries and games played put out a new 11 and get them minutes. I wouldn't even worry about 'momentum' because nobody involved tomorrow is likely to be in the team for Fulham on Saturday. I would have expected something like this without the injuries and start to the season so I can't imagine anyone is going to be surprised.
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