Stuniverse

I've assumed Dixon is with the first team. With no signings, it would be Dixon and LThompson providing the cover for Shinnie and Bird.
Wilson could still be injured or struggling with the off-field stuff. Either way he needs more time.
Stretton definitely in the first team and has returned to training. Duncan awol.

What can we, the fans, do to help at this difficult time?

I like Jack Stretton. He’s a hard working striker, with good control, can run with the ball, and has an eye for goal. In his first-year as a professional last season, after graduating from the Academy, he was prolific at the start of the U23 season. Like all players at that age, he has areas he needs to work on, but after stepping up from the U18s, in a short space of time he overtook Cameron Cresswell, Bobby Duncan and Jahmal Hector-Ingram which is credit to him.
He had a good, short loan spell at Stockport County where he scored three goals in five appearances.
Of course, none of that guarantees anything, I remember Callum Ball being prolific for Derby County reserves but being unable to establish himself in the first-team under Nigel Clough.
It’s a shame Stretton hit the woodwork in one of his early substitute appearances for the first-team. Had he scored instead, the goal would have done wonders for his confidence.
Footbal365 have listed Stretton in their 10 young Championship players to watch out for this season: 
A calf injury, following his return from Stockport County, prevented him playing in the run-in last season and a muscle strain has kept him out of the pre-season friendlies but, I believe, he returned to training this week.
Stretton looks a natural goal scorer at U23 level but it’s a big step-up to Championship level against streetwise defenders and he has work to do to prove he can score goals on a regular basis at this level.

I like Jack Stretton. He’s a hard working striker, with good control, can run with the ball, and has an eye for goal. In his first-year as a professional last season, after graduating from the Academy, he was prolific at the start of the U23 season. Like all players at that age, he has areas he needs to work on, but after stepping up from the U18s, in a short space of time he overtook Cameron Cresswell, Bobby Duncan and Jahmal Hector-Ingram which is credit to him.
He had a good, short loan spell at Stockport County where he scored three goals in five appearances.
Of course, none of that guarantees anything, I remember Callum Ball being prolific for Derby County reserves but being unable to establish himself in the first-team under Nigel Clough.
It’s a shame Stretton hit the woodwork in one of his early substitute appearances for the first-team. Had he scored instead, the goal would have done wonders for his confidence.
Footbal365 have listed Stretton in their 10 young Championship players to watch out for this season: 
A calf injury, following his return from Stockport County, prevented him playing in the run-in last season and a muscle strain has kept him out of the pre-season friendlies but, I believe, he returned to training this week.
Stretton looks a natural goal scorer at U23 level but it’s a big step-up to Championship level against streetwise defenders and he has work to do to prove he can score goals on a regular basis at this level.

I like Jack Stretton. He’s a hard working striker, with good control, can run with the ball, and has an eye for goal. In his first-year as a professional last season, after graduating from the Academy, he was prolific at the start of the U23 season. Like all players at that age, he has areas he needs to work on, but after stepping up from the U18s, in a short space of time he overtook Cameron Cresswell, Bobby Duncan and Jahmal Hector-Ingram which is credit to him.
He had a good, short loan spell at Stockport County where he scored three goals in five appearances.
Of course, none of that guarantees anything, I remember Callum Ball being prolific for Derby County reserves but being unable to establish himself in the first-team under Nigel Clough.
It’s a shame Stretton hit the woodwork in one of his early substitute appearances for the first-team. Had he scored instead, the goal would have done wonders for his confidence.
Footbal365 have listed Stretton in their 10 young Championship players to watch out for this season: 
A calf injury, following his return from Stockport County, prevented him playing in the run-in last season and a muscle strain has kept him out of the pre-season friendlies but, I believe, he returned to training this week.
Stretton looks a natural goal scorer at U23 level but it’s a big step-up to Championship level against streetwise defenders and he has work to do to prove he can score goals on a regular basis at this level.

I like Jack Stretton. He’s a hard working striker, with good control, can run with the ball, and has an eye for goal. In his first-year as a professional last season, after graduating from the Academy, he was prolific at the start of the U23 season. Like all players at that age, he has areas he needs to work on, but after stepping up from the U18s, in a short space of time he overtook Cameron Cresswell, Bobby Duncan and Jahmal Hector-Ingram which is credit to him.
He had a good, short loan spell at Stockport County where he scored three goals in five appearances.
Of course, none of that guarantees anything, I remember Callum Ball being prolific for Derby County reserves but being unable to establish himself in the first-team under Nigel Clough.
It’s a shame Stretton hit the woodwork in one of his early substitute appearances for the first-team. Had he scored instead, the goal would have done wonders for his confidence.
Footbal365 have listed Stretton in their 10 young Championship players to watch out for this season: 
A calf injury, following his return from Stockport County, prevented him playing in the run-in last season and a muscle strain has kept him out of the pre-season friendlies but, I believe, he returned to training this week.
Stretton looks a natural goal scorer at U23 level but it’s a big step-up to Championship level against streetwise defenders and he has work to do to prove he can score goals on a regular basis at this level.

I like Jack Stretton. He’s a hard working striker, with good control, can run with the ball, and has an eye for goal. In his first-year as a professional last season, after graduating from the Academy, he was prolific at the start of the U23 season. Like all players at that age, he has areas he needs to work on, but after stepping up from the U18s, in a short space of time he overtook Cameron Cresswell, Bobby Duncan and Jahmal Hector-Ingram which is credit to him.
He had a good, short loan spell at Stockport County where he scored three goals in five appearances.
Of course, none of that guarantees anything, I remember Callum Ball being prolific for Derby County reserves but being unable to establish himself in the first-team under Nigel Clough.
It’s a shame Stretton hit the woodwork in one of his early substitute appearances for the first-team. Had he scored instead, the goal would have done wonders for his confidence.
Footbal365 have listed Stretton in their 10 young Championship players to watch out for this season: 
A calf injury, following his return from Stockport County, prevented him playing in the run-in last season and a muscle strain has kept him out of the pre-season friendlies but, I believe, he returned to training this week.
Stretton looks a natural goal scorer at U23 level but it’s a big step-up to Championship level against streetwise defenders and he has work to do to prove he can score goals on a regular basis at this level.

I like Jack Stretton. He’s a hard working striker, with good control, can run with the ball, and has an eye for goal. In his first-year as a professional last season, after graduating from the Academy, he was prolific at the start of the U23 season. Like all players at that age, he has areas he needs to work on, but after stepping up from the U18s, in a short space of time he overtook Cameron Cresswell, Bobby Duncan and Jahmal Hector-Ingram which is credit to him.
He had a good, short loan spell at Stockport County where he scored three goals in five appearances.
Of course, none of that guarantees anything, I remember Callum Ball being prolific for Derby County reserves but being unable to establish himself in the first-team under Nigel Clough.
It’s a shame Stretton hit the woodwork in one of his early substitute appearances for the first-team. Had he scored instead, the goal would have done wonders for his confidence.
Footbal365 have listed Stretton in their 10 young Championship players to watch out for this season: 
A calf injury, following his return from Stockport County, prevented him playing in the run-in last season and a muscle strain has kept him out of the pre-season friendlies but, I believe, he returned to training this week.
Stretton looks a natural goal scorer at U23 level but it’s a big step-up to Championship level against streetwise defenders and he has work to do to prove he can score goals on a regular basis at this level.

I like Jack Stretton. He’s a hard working striker, with good control, can run with the ball, and has an eye for goal. In his first-year as a professional last season, after graduating from the Academy, he was prolific at the start of the U23 season. Like all players at that age, he has areas he needs to work on, but after stepping up from the U18s, in a short space of time he overtook Cameron Cresswell, Bobby Duncan and Jahmal Hector-Ingram which is credit to him.
He had a good, short loan spell at Stockport County where he scored three goals in five appearances.
Of course, none of that guarantees anything, I remember Callum Ball being prolific for Derby County reserves but being unable to establish himself in the first-team under Nigel Clough.
It’s a shame Stretton hit the woodwork in one of his early substitute appearances for the first-team. Had he scored instead, the goal would have done wonders for his confidence.
Footbal365 have listed Stretton in their 10 young Championship players to watch out for this season: 
A calf injury, following his return from Stockport County, prevented him playing in the run-in last season and a muscle strain has kept him out of the pre-season friendlies but, I believe, he returned to training this week.
Stretton looks a natural goal scorer at U23 level but it’s a big step-up to Championship level against streetwise defenders and he has work to do to prove he can score goals on a regular basis at this level.

I like Jack Stretton. He’s a hard working striker, with good control, can run with the ball, and has an eye for goal. In his first-year as a professional last season, after graduating from the Academy, he was prolific at the start of the U23 season. Like all players at that age, he has areas he needs to work on, but after stepping up from the U18s, in a short space of time he overtook Cameron Cresswell, Bobby Duncan and Jahmal Hector-Ingram which is credit to him.
He had a good, short loan spell at Stockport County where he scored three goals in five appearances.
Of course, none of that guarantees anything, I remember Callum Ball being prolific for Derby County reserves but being unable to establish himself in the first-team under Nigel Clough.
It’s a shame Stretton hit the woodwork in one of his early substitute appearances for the first-team. Had he scored instead, the goal would have done wonders for his confidence.
Footbal365 have listed Stretton in their 10 young Championship players to watch out for this season: 
A calf injury, following his return from Stockport County, prevented him playing in the run-in last season and a muscle strain has kept him out of the pre-season friendlies but, I believe, he returned to training this week.
Stretton looks a natural goal scorer at U23 level but it’s a big step-up to Championship level against streetwise defenders and he has work to do to prove he can score goals on a regular basis at this level.

I like Jack Stretton. He’s a hard working striker, with good control, can run with the ball, and has an eye for goal. In his first-year as a professional last season, after graduating from the Academy, he was prolific at the start of the U23 season. Like all players at that age, he has areas he needs to work on, but after stepping up from the U18s, in a short space of time he overtook Cameron Cresswell, Bobby Duncan and Jahmal Hector-Ingram which is credit to him.
He had a good, short loan spell at Stockport County where he scored three goals in five appearances.
Of course, none of that guarantees anything, I remember Callum Ball being prolific for Derby County reserves but being unable to establish himself in the first-team under Nigel Clough.
It’s a shame Stretton hit the woodwork in one of his early substitute appearances for the first-team. Had he scored instead, the goal would have done wonders for his confidence.
Footbal365 have listed Stretton in their 10 young Championship players to watch out for this season: 
A calf injury, following his return from Stockport County, prevented him playing in the run-in last season and a muscle strain has kept him out of the pre-season friendlies but, I believe, he returned to training this week.
Stretton looks a natural goal scorer at U23 level but it’s a big step-up to Championship level against streetwise defenders and he has work to do to prove he can score goals on a regular basis at this level.

I like Jack Stretton. He’s a hard working striker, with good control, can run with the ball, and has an eye for goal. In his first-year as a professional last season, after graduating from the Academy, he was prolific at the start of the U23 season. Like all players at that age, he has areas he needs to work on, but after stepping up from the U18s, in a short space of time he overtook Cameron Cresswell, Bobby Duncan and Jahmal Hector-Ingram which is credit to him.
He had a good, short loan spell at Stockport County where he scored three goals in five appearances.
Of course, none of that guarantees anything, I remember Callum Ball being prolific for Derby County reserves but being unable to establish himself in the first-team under Nigel Clough.
It’s a shame Stretton hit the woodwork in one of his early substitute appearances for the first-team. Had he scored instead, the goal would have done wonders for his confidence.
Footbal365 have listed Stretton in their 10 young Championship players to watch out for this season: 
A calf injury, following his return from Stockport County, prevented him playing in the run-in last season and a muscle strain has kept him out of the pre-season friendlies but, I believe, he returned to training this week.
Stretton looks a natural goal scorer at U23 level but it’s a big step-up to Championship level against streetwise defenders and he has work to do to prove he can score goals on a regular basis at this level.

Having watched the highlights a few times, I reckon the Team and Subs (with some I’m not sure about) was:
1 Roberts, 2 Brailsford, 3 Moloney, 4 Robinson, 5 Ryan, 6 Christie ?, 7 Trialist B (Richards), 8 Sebagabo, 9 Dixon, 10 ????, 11 Reece-Davies. Subs: 12 ????, 14 ????, 15 Cybulski, 16 ????, 17 ????, 18 Grewal-Pollard
Anybody able to confirm and / or fill in the gaps? @Ghost of Clough?
Wouldn’t surprise me if some of the gaps were trialists.

What kind of striker is Stretton?

Moore, Rutt, Aideyan, Ibrahim, Fapetu, Borkovic, Eze and Kelly are the others from the U18 squad, although most don't appear to have been involved. The subs actually appear to be mostly 1st year pros
10 Trialist?
12 Eze?
14 Seb Thompson?
16 Perez de Gracia?
17Trialist?

Having watched the highlights a few times, I reckon the Team and Subs (with some I’m not sure about) was:
1 Roberts, 2 Brailsford, 3 Moloney, 4 Robinson, 5 Ryan, 6 Christie ?, 7 Trialist B (Richards), 8 Sebagabo, 9 Dixon, 10 ????, 11 Reece-Davies. Subs: 12 ????, 14 ????, 15 Cybulski, 16 ????, 17 ????, 18 Grewal-Pollard
Anybody able to confirm and / or fill in the gaps? @Ghost of Clough?
Wouldn’t surprise me if some of the gaps were trialists.

Having watched the highlights a few times, I reckon the Team and Subs (with some I’m not sure about) was:
1 Roberts, 2 Brailsford, 3 Moloney, 4 Robinson, 5 Ryan, 6 Christie ?, 7 Trialist B (Richards), 8 Sebagabo, 9 Dixon, 10 ????, 11 Reece-Davies. Subs: 12 ????, 14 ????, 15 Cybulski, 16 ????, 17 ????, 18 Grewal-Pollard
Anybody able to confirm and / or fill in the gaps? @Ghost of Clough?
Wouldn’t surprise me if some of the gaps were trialists.

Hopefully a very good signing. I saw Carlos Richards against Matlock Town and he was very impressive on the right-wing, providing the assist for Luke Plange’s goal. Richards also scored a very good goal against Loughborough Uni.
EDIT: I tried to link to Richard Cusack’s Tweet on this but it has now been deleted.

The U18s play Burton Albion U18s today kick-off 1.00 pm.
When the original pre-season fixtures came out there was an U23 game v Huddersfield scheduled for today but, like the Chelsea U23 game earlier, that is no longer showing on the U23 fixtures list on the official website.

Off his Insta account:

Hopefully a very good signing. I saw Carlos Richards against Matlock Town and he was very impressive on the right-wing, providing the assist for Luke Plange’s goal. Richards also scored a very good goal against Loughborough Uni.
EDIT: I tried to link to Richard Cusack’s Tweet on this but it has now been deleted.

The U18s play Burton Albion U18s today kick-off 1.00 pm.
When the original pre-season fixtures came out there was an U23 game v Huddersfield scheduled for today but, like the Chelsea U23 game earlier, that is no longer showing on the U23 fixtures list on the official website.

I’d like to see Jordan Brown given a chance, although his flexibility to play a number of different positions may count against him.

I’m not aware of anything, @Reggie Greenwood.
Bobby Duncan is in a group including Jack Stretton (injured?), Louie Watson (injured?), Jordan Brown, Tyree Wilson, Connor Dixon, Dylan Williams and Olamide Ibrahim who haven’t featured in any pre-season game at first-team or U23 / U18 level yet.
I think I saw somewhere that Watson and Stretton had picked up knocks but I can’t find it now. It’s possible they could all have knocks but I’ve not seen anything mentioned about the others.

When the Academy friendlies we’re first announced, the Middlesbrough game was listed as Sunday 8th August, but things could’ve changed.