SEVENTEEN-year-old striker Dean Bowditch will make his full Ipswich Town debut against Notts County tomorrow night.Blues boss Joe Royle today revealed that Bowditch will get his first start in the Carling Cup second round clash at Meadow Lane.

By Dave Allard

SEVENTEEN-year-old striker Dean Bowditch will make his full Ipswich Town debut against Notts County tomorrow night.

Blues boss Joe Royle today revealed that Bowditch will get his first start in the Carling Cup second round clash at Meadow Lane.

The England youth international has already made 11 appearances as a substitute. The latest was on Saturday when he emerged from the bench and was brought down to earn Town a penalty.

It gave fellow striker Pablo Counago the chance to grab his first goal of the season and complete a 4-1 win over Wimbledon at Portman Road.

Harlow-kid Bowditch has already scored for Town this term – netting the extra-time winner in the 1-0 Carling Cup first round win over visiting Kidderminster.

Royle said: "Dean has grown up a lot in the summer. It had to be only a matter of time before he started a game and he will certainly begin against Notts County.

"He shows maturity in his play that is way above his 17 years. What he needs to find are a few more poachers' goals and I'm sure they will come."

Bowditch will get his chance in a Town side that will be without England Under-21 striker Darren Bent, who has a knee ligament injury.

Central defender Drissa Diallo also came off in the Wimbledon game. He also has knee trouble and will miss out tomorrow night against the lowly Second Division Magpies.

Bent and Diallo are also doubtful for Saturday's away match at Watford.

With midfielders Tommy Miller and Martijn Reuser still sidelined, together with defender Chris Makin, the Town squad is getting a bit thin.

Royle said: "I'll assess the situation after the Notts County game with a view to another loan. There's nothing at the moment. We'll see later in the week after the injuries to Drissa and Darren have settled down."

Teenage midfielder Ian Westlake, a full debutant in the home defeat to West Ham, will also start tomorrow night and Matt Bloomfield, who has been in good midfield form for the reserves after injury, will also be back in the squad.

There is a chance that academy players Aidan Collins and Gerard Nash may also gain further senior experience in the party.

Chris Bart-Williams, the midfield anchorman on loan from Charlton, will not be allowed to play.

However, Alan Mahon, the wide midfield loan man from Blackburn who was once a League Cup winner as a substitute with Rovers, can play.

Town have had two home league victories to kick-start their season with Saturday's 4-1 drubbing of the Dons preceded by the 2-1 win against Walsall.

Royle said: "Our season started last Tuesday after not getting a league win previously. Now we want to carry it on in the Carling Cup, a competition that is very important to us."

"I may have sounded a bit over-optimistic at the start of the season. But I genuinely believe there is a good squad here and that there can be much to look forward to this season."