Assistant manager Martyn Pert has confirmed that central defender Axel Tuanzebe will make his Blues debut during Wednesday’s Carabao Cup fourth round tie against Premier League Fulham at Portman Road.

The former Manchester United man joined Town at the start of September and has since spent time building his fitness following a back injury.

Tuanzebe and keeper Christian Walton, who recently returned from a plantar fascia tear, are likely starters for the Blues against the Whites, although manager Kieran McKenna is yet to pick his XI.

“They’ve been training really well for the last month,” Pert said when asked about the duo. “Axel’s obviously been in since the early part of September. Has trained really well, built that foundation there that he can get some minutes in the game.”

Central defender Elkan Baggott suffered a minor back problem while away on international duty with Indonesia but is back in training, while Pert says there are no new injury concerns ahead of Wednesday’s match.

“He had a back issue with the travel coming back from Indonesia via somewhere else,” he said. “I think it was quite normal in terms of rectifying it, it wasn’t a major issue. He’s been training today.

“Everyone’s training quite well. Obviously Wes [Burns] has got the problem with his shoulder but otherwise everyone’s in good shape.”

Dane Scarlett is ineligible having appeared for Tottenham earlier in the competition.

Photo: ITFC

Steelmonkey added 15:40 - Oct 31 Best of luck Axel, it should be a good test for you against Fulham, looking forward to see what you’ve got in your locker.
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IPSWICHMOUSE added 16:03 - Oct 31 I really hope Axel comes out of the game with no upsets as he is a class defender who should be one of the first names on the team sheet when completely fit....COYB..ITID..
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Bazza8564 added 16:53 - Oct 31 I have high hopes for Axel, let's face it we are now looking like we need Premier League quality as a minimum now for new players and this guy has experience, youth and a pedigree in top flight football, albeit not a lot of game time. Wolfy has that potential, Baggott too, but the thought of Fridge and Cam B being exposed to the PL strikers week in week out doesn't appeal, as much as I appreciate their role in our recovery. Fingers crossed Axel, theres a lot of people wanting you to star tomorrow

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therein61 added 17:07 - Oct 31 Good luck Axel lets hope you enjoy the 1st appearance in a blue shirt and put down a marker for inclusion in the 1st team reckoning.
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Linkboy13 added 18:21 - Oct 31 He isn't having it easy for his first game. After watching Saturday's game it looked like some of the team could do with a rest we struggled with the pace of Plymouth's front three at times .
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Monkey_Blue added 18:58 - Oct 31 Linkboy13. The squad hadn’t played for 2 weeks bar the odd one so I think it was more lack of matches than tiredness. Also odds are it will be at least 8 changes.
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ArnieM added 19:03 - Oct 31 Good luck Axel. Been looking forward to see how you do, and suspect you’ll smash it!
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USA added 22:53 - Oct 31 Is that the Australian international Burgess you’re referring to Bazza? When has he put a foot wrong this season?
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Linkboy13 added 10:06 - Nov 1 Like it or not USA when or if Axel gets fit he will be in the team Burgess is a decent defender but sometimes looks ungainly and slow on the turn when players run at him. Don't know if you've noticed but McKenna has left him out of certain matches against teams with pace up front.
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