Page 13 - Jon Stead News Today

Striker Darren Bent ran out the winner in his private U21 battle with club team-mate Lewis Price, scoring the second goal as Englands youngsters beat Wales 2-0 at Blackburns Ewood Park.

Town boss Mick McCarthy admits that there’s additional pressure on the Blues to beat Bristol City at Portman Road on Saturday after he changed his entire XI for Wednesday’s Capital One Cup third round defeat at Manchester United.

Town are again likely to be without central defender Gareth McAuley for Saturday’s live BBC game against Newcastle United, which will see the North Stand renamed in honour of Sir Bobby Robson (BBC2 from 5.05pm, KO 5.30pm). The Northern Irishman is back from his one-match ban but has a calf injury.

Towns Carling Cup run came to an end as Wigan left Portman Road with a 4-1 victory. The result flattered the visitors with all the goals coming in the second half, Lee Cattermole opened the scoring and Jon Walters equalising before Olivier Kapo, Paul Scharner and Henri Camara won the tie.

Boss Paul Jewell is weighing up whether to stick with the system which saw the Blues to Mondays 3-0 victory over Coventry for Saturday’s trip to high-flying Middlesbrough. The Town manager successfully utilised a diamond formation with a narrow four-man midfield against the Sky Blues.

Town manager Paul Jewell wants his side to play their own game when Wolverhampton Wanderers visit Portman Road this evening. The Blues boss ran the rule over the Midlanders, relegated from the Premier League at the end of last season, as they beat Leicester 2-1 on Sunday.

Town go into Saturday’s game at Doncaster Rovers still looking for their first win of the season and with Gareth McAuley suspended and with fitness doubts over new signings Carlos Edwards and Liam Rosenior.

Town striker Jordan Rhodes is set to join League Two Rochdale on a months loan. Rhodes could make his debut for Dale on Saturday when they face Rotherham at the Don Valley Stadium.

Town boss Jim Magilton will again have to decide which members of his squad to disappoint when Reading visit Portman Road on Saturday. Striker Jon Stead could make his Blues debut having signed on loan from Sheffield United last Monday.

Stoke City boss Tony Pulis says central defender Ryan Shawcross is not available for emergency loan. The former Manchester United trainee was linked with a move to the Blues by a number of national newspapers last week.