Town boss Kieran McKenna says the Blues have a number of players who have had Covid back in training, Kyle Edwards, Rekeem Harper and Toto Nsiala, while the likes of Bersant Celina, Hayden Coulson and Jon Nolan are making progress after injuries.
Freddie Ladapo and Marcus Harness were on target as Town beat Exeter City 2-0 at St James Park, the Blues’ seventh away win of the season. Ladapo gave Town the lead with a stooping header from a Harness knockdown in the 11th minute, then Harness sealed the three points with a flicked header from a Leif Davis corner on 68.
Macauley Bonne, Conor Chaplin, Sone Aluko and Wes Burns were on target as the Blues thrashed Portsmouth 4-0 at Fratton Park. Bonne gave Town the lead with his 10th of the season four minutes before the break when he embarrassed home keeper Gavin Bazunu, then Chaplin netted against his old side on 54 and Aluko made it 3-0 four minutes later, before Burns added the fourth in the 75th to complete the rout.
Town boss Paul Cook makes 11 changes from the team which was beaten 2-1 at Accrington on Saturday for this evening’s Papa John’s Trophy tie at Gillingham.