Cooper Makes Debut

Last updated : 27 August 2008 By Andy Beill
Phil Brown rests all eleven players who started at Blackburn on Saturday, with just three of them - Michael Turner, Richard Garcia and Marlon King - named among the seven substitutes.

Matt Duke is in goal, with summer signing Tony Warner on the bench.

Youth team product Cooper starts in central defence alongside Wayne Brown. Bernard Mendy comes in to make his first start, while Nathan Doyle is on the other side.

Péter Halmosi makes his first start since joining from Plymouth. Nick Barmby makes his second start of the season, while Ryan France and Bryan Hughes get call-ups.

Strikers Dean Windass and Caleb Folan both get the chance to impress Phil Brown, with a starting place up for grabs against Wigan on Saturday when on-loan Latic Marlon King is not allowed to play.

John Welsh, who hasn't played for City in almost 18 months, is on the bench, as is 19-year-old winger Will Atkinson, whose only previous appearance for the club was as a subtitute in the FA Cup game at Plymouth in January.

Starting line-up: Matt Duke; Bernard Mendy, Liam Cooper, Wayne Brown, Nathan Doyle; Nick Barmby, Ryan France, Bryan Hughes, Péter Halmosi; Caleb Folan, Dean Windass.
Subs: Tony Warner, Michael Turner, John Welsh, Will Atkinson, Richard Garcia, Nicky Featherstone, Marlon King.