Rookie centre-back Josh Yorwerth is ready to tackle anything thrown at him in a potential blood and thunder battle at Doncaster Rovers tonight.

The 20-year-old made his first-ever senior start against Stevenage, scoring in the Capital One Cup first round win, earlier this month.

The former Cardiff City man, who played rugby for his country at youth level, is expected to start again this evening in the second round clash.

Young full-backs Josh Emmanuel and Myles Kenlock, the latter who signed a new two-year deal yesterday, will also play against the League One club, as will Irish midfielder Adam McDonnell. Striker James Alabi (20) could also feature, having signed a one-year deal yesterday.

“Defending is my first priority and I didn’t defend properly for the Stevenage goal (in the last round),” he said.

“But I rectified that in the second half by scoring. I won my headers better, I won my personal battles and defended better.

“When Stevenage brought on their number nine (Brett Williams), he wanted to play against me, meaning he wanted to fight me and I knew I wouldn’t get beat.

“I prefer the physical side of things, no-one is going to beat me on the physical side and I think my rugby background helps.”

Yorwerth is one of several exciting talents at Ipswich but is benefiting from working with a demanding set of senior professionals, having been released from the wilderness of Cardiff’s under-21s in the summer.

“I had a bit of a roasting (at half-time against Stevenage) from a few players, which was right, and then it was up to me to go out second half and get back on my game, which is exactly what I did,” explained the Welshman

He added: “Sometimes you feel nervous going into the training, such are the high standards.

“I never got that at Cardiff.”

Inside - Doncaster match preview