|
Re: Carling Cup - 19th/20th
More from skysports..
Chesterfield v Man City
Stuart Pearce takes Manchester City to Chesterfield on Wednesday, hoping to avoid the Carling Cup humiliation they endured at the same stage last year.
The Eastlands outfit were dumped out the competition by Doncaster Rovers on penalties last term and Pearce knows the dangers defeat could bring this time round.
City have made a poor start to the new campaign, with just one win in five in The Premiership this season.
They have an abysmal away record as well with 11 defeats in their last 12 away top flight games.
The Spireites have also struggled in League One though, and currently languish in 17th spot in the table.
Chesterfield have never beaten their opponents in their history, home or away in any competition, but are sure to give the visitors a roaring welcome to Saltergate.
Several of the top division's sides have rested men in this competition so far, and Pearce could continue the trend despite pressure on the result.
Swedish World Cup goalkeeper Andreas Isaksson remains sidelined though with his ankle injury, while Hatem Trabelsi has picked up a groin strain.
Defender Ben Thatcher and midfielder Ousmane Dabo are suspended, but tenacious striker Paul Dickov looks set to start up front.
Stopper Alex Bailey should continue in place of Shane Nicholson (groin) for the home side, while Alan O'Hare is set for a late fitness.
Paul Shaw and Caleb Folan are expected to be the preferred front men for The Spireites.
Both sides know the lucrative benefits a good cup run can bring and will be anxious to impress in what is set to be an intriguing encounter.
Doncaster v Derby
Doncaster Rovers will be aiming to live up to their title of giant-killers when Derby County visit Belle Vue in the Carling Cup second round.
Last season the League One outfit disposed of both Aston Villa and Manchester City en route to the quarter finals, and whilst Billy Davies' Rams are not Premiership calibre they would still represent a sizeable scalp.
Rovers boss Sean O'Driscoll is hoping to welcome back experienced midfielder Kevin Horlock after his return to action from a knee injury in Monday's behind-closed-doors friendly with Sunderland.
However, both he and Anthony Griffiths may be short for the cup clash, with goalkeeper Alan Blayney and striker Bruce Dyer also absent due to arm and groin injuries respectively.
Derby beat Stockport in round one and another win would see them reach the third round for the first time since 2001.
Davies is expected to have a full squad to choose from as he plots his way past Rovers, but defender Marc Edworthy could miss out due to a hamstring complaint he picked up in the weekend's draw with Preston.
Fulham v Wycombe
Fulham will attempt to avoid going the way of Wigan when they welcome Wycombe Wanderers to Craven Cottage for the Carling Cup second round meeting.
The Latics were the only Premiership casualty on Tuesday night as they lost to Crewe, and a slew of midfield injuries means Chris Coleman will be wary of a similar shock at the hands of Paul Lambert's Chairboys.
The Premiership outfit were already struggling in midfield before Sunday's 0-0 draw with Tottenham, with Ahmad Elrich (knee), Simon Elliot (ankle) and Papa Bouba Diop (thigh) joining Jimmy Bullard in the treatment room after his serious knee injury.
Now Portuguese international Luis Boa Morte (pictured) has joined the walking wounded after picking up a suspected fractured cheekbone at White Hart Lane, meaning Moritz Volz and Carlos Bocanegra are likely to continue in makeshift roles.
For their League Two opponents, former Cottager Kevin Betsy will be hoping to impress against his former employers, but on-loan Fulham goalkeeper Ricardo Batista will be left out of the starting line-up by Lambert as a gesture of goodwill.
Reading have also denied Scott Golbourne permission to play, but fellow loan man Tommy Doherty will be available as Wycombe attempt to extend their seven-game winning streak which includes their first round victory over Swansea.
Chelsea youngster Antony Grant returns from suspension to face the local rivals of his parent club whilst Chris Palmer could make a shock return from a dislocated shoulder, but Stefan Oakes and Sergio Torres are both rated as major doubts.
Scunthorpe v Aston Villa
Aston Villa will be looking to take their good Premiership form into the Carling Cup when they travel to Scunthorpe on Wednesday night.
Villa are unbeaten in their opening five games under Martin O'Neill and will have targeted the Carling Cup as a realistic route into Europe.
There is not likely to be any complacency either, following last November's shock 3-0 defeat to Doncaster.
Czech Republic striker Milan Baros is set to make his first Villa start of the season after recovering fully from the foot injury he suffered at the World Cup.
Luke Moore is the likeliest to give way, as he picked up a slight knee problem during Saturday's 0-0 draw with Watford.
Aaron Hughes missed the trip to Vicarage Road with a stomach virus but is now fit and could be recalled.
Scunthorpe, who beat Lincoln 4-3 after extra time in the first round, will be full of confidence having won their last two games in League One.
However, key defender Steve Foster is expected to miss the clash after breaking his nose in Saturday's 1-0 victory over Cheltenham.
Andy Keogh scored the winner against Cheltenham and may be promoted to the starting line-up in place of Steve Torpey, who has suffered a knock.
Middlesbro v Notts County
Middlesbrough welcome Notts County to The Riverside as they begin their quest for Carling Cup glory.
The Teessiders have made a patchy start to The Premiership, but memories of their Carling Cup triumph in 2004 are bound to spur them on as they seek more silverware.
Manager Gareth Southgate, who captained the Boro side when they landed the first major trophy in their history, is set to hand Robert Huth a debut against County.
He will replace Jonathan Woodgate in the centre of defence, with the injury-prone Englishman rested following two impressive displays as Southgate guards against burn-out.
Striker Mark Viduka has recovered from a knee injury and is likely to figure at some stage, while Massimo Maccarone could also be included.
However, Stewart Downing (groin), Chris Riggott (ankle), Julio Arca (broken foot), George Boateng (ankle) and Ugo Ehiogu (Achilles) will all miss the game.
Notts County have only been beaten once in League Two this season and will have set their sights on a famous cup upset.
Tommy Hannigan is the only major absentee, as he is still sidelined with a back problem, while Tom Curtis could return after five games out through injury.
County knocked Crystal Palace out of the competition in the first round.
|
Carling Cup - 19th/20th
