Teddy Bishop and Freddie Sears both make their first starts of the season as the Blues face Exeter at St James’ Park in the Leasing.com Trophy third round.

The returning duo are set to play off lone central striker Will Keane with Cole Skuse and Andre Dozzell in the centre of the midfield.

Toto Nsiala, James Wilson and Luke Woolfenden - two of only three players who started at Wycombe on Wednesday - are the back three with Myles Kenlock and Gwion Edwards - the other - the wing-backs. Tomas Holy is back in goal.

Exeter make 10 changes from the team which won 1-0 at Forest Green Rovers on New Year’s Day with former Blues midfielder Lee Martin on the bench.

The Grecians were forced into a late change of keeper after Lewis Ward picked up an injury in the warm-up. Sub Jonny Maxted started with youngster Jack Arthur on the bench.

Exeter: Maxted, Dyer, Warren, Hartridge, Richardson, Taylor (c), Atangana, Jay, Randall, Ajose, Seymour. Subs: Arthur, Martin, Bowman, Collins, Kite, Chrisene, Dean.

Town: Holy, Woolfenden, Nsiala, Wilson, Edwards, Skuse (c), Dozzell, Kenlock, Bishop, Sears, Keane. Subs: Norris, Jackson, Norwood, Judge, El Mizouni, Garbutt, Dobra. Referee: Josh Smith (Bedford).

Photo: Pagepix

ITFCsince73 added 14:45 - Jan 4 Hopefully both playing central.
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Edmundo added 14:51 - Jan 4 I make it a 4-4-2 as well. Hopefully Freddie's in the goals...
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PortmanTerrorist added 14:52 - Jan 4 Keane target man and Sears free to run off as he sees fit, and Bish connecting the Def and Def Mids with attack. If so then this might actually, finally, be a workable shape to take forward ! Of course neither of the wing backs are wing backs.....but you can't have everything, and for time being I would prefer slightly more defensive wing backs anyway. We should still have enough, surely ?!

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Edmundo added 14:52 - Jan 4 3-5-2 rather
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barryblue added 15:01 - Jan 4 dont like the look of midfield, no legs, good to see dobra in squad , think we will need his legs by half time, like the keane and sears partnership, but dont trust lambert not to cock this up
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jas0999 added 15:18 - Jan 4 No excuses today. This team more than good enough to beat Exeter and we really do need to start winning games!
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BeattiesBackPocket added 15:50 - Jan 4 Not one shot on target! And Exeter have made 10 changes as well so no excuses today!
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Tractorboy1985 added 15:57 - Jan 4 He's lost the players! How do you not have a shot on target AGAIN in 45 minutes! What a move it was by Mr Evans to reward him with a new contract! Shambles of a football club! Never getting out of league 1 with him!!!
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BeattiesBackPocket added 16:06 - Jan 4 Tractorboy1985 we've had plenty of experienced managers who have experience getting teams out of divisions and promoted they can't all be rubbish I'm afraid the common denominator in it all is Evans!!
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Tractorboy1985 added 16:12 - Jan 4 Beattiebackpocket I totally agree 100%.. my main frustrations sit with Evans however lambert has tinkered with this team to death! How on earth he was given a 5 year deal with what he's achieved so far at the club is mind boggling!
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BeattiesBackPocket added 16:26 - Jan 4 Tractorboy1985 agreed mate
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