Town's U18s are in FA Youth Cup fifth round action against Aston Villa at Portman Road this evening (KO 7pm). If the youngsters are victorious they face Colchester United at Layer Road in round six.

The Blues are without injured defenders Chris Casement and Michael Synnott, but have a number of players in the squad who have already had some involvement with the first team.

Irish keeper Shane Supple has been on the bench for Joe Royle's side on a number of occasions and has shared reserve goalkeeping duties with Lewis Price this season.

Central defender Aidan Collins made his senior debut in the final game of 2002/03 at Derby and was close to playing in the FA Cup match against Bolton in January, a lack of match fitness winning Scott Mitchell a call ahead of him.

Midfielder Owen Garvan was named on the subs' bench for the home game with Brighton earlier this season and looks to be one of the brightest prospects in the Academy. The 17-year-old has been withdrawn from the Irish U17 squad in order to play tonight.

Up front, local boy Darryl Knights is likely to start alongside another Irishman, U19 international Billy Clarke.

Knights came on as a sub in the 2-0 loss at Sunderland earlier this season and is a regular for the England U17 side.

Clarke is yet to make an appearance in the first team squad but has made his mark in the reserves and various Irish squads this season.

The Corkman started the season in the Ireland U17s, progressed to the U18s and after impressing further was called into the U19s, for whom he has scored two goals in four games.

Captin Liam Craig, a versatile player although mainly a striker, was the star of the last round, scoring both goals in an extra-time 2-1 win at Stoke, the second from the penalty spot.

Likely to be on the bench is Charlie Sheringham, son of Teddy, while left-back Stuart Ainsley is the son of George Ainsley who was a Town youth and reserve player in the seventies.

Villa were finalists last season, losing 4-0 on aggregate to Middlesbrough and have a highly-rated Academy. Striker Gabriel Agbonlahor was included in their first team squad last weekend.

The tie has to be settled on the night with extra-time and penalties if required. Admission is £3 for adults and £1 for children.

Squad: Supple, Moore, Krause, Ainsley, Collins, Beveridge, Lordan, Garvan, Trotter, Haynes, Hammond, Craig, Knights, Clarke, Blackmore, Sheringham, Haverson, Leabon, Webster, Boto.

Photo: Action Images

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