Ti Carling-cup

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Preview: Wycombe Wanderers v Aston Villa

Wycombe boss Lawrie Sanchez will be without defender Guy Branston for his side's enticing Carling Cup clash with Aston Villa.

Branston is on a month's loan from Rotherham but is cup-tied as the Chairboys bid to reach the third round of the League Cup for the first time.

Goalkeeper Frank Talia and defender Chris Vinnicombe return from suspension but striker Craig Faulconbridge remains sidelined with a knee injury.

Darius Vassell could return to the Aston Villa starting XI.

Vassell came on as a second-half substitute in Saturday's 2-1 win over Charlton and provided he shows no reaction from keyhole surgery on a groin problem, the 23-year-old should line up alongside Juan Pablo Angel.

David O'Leary must once again wait on the fitness of central defensive pair Olof Mellberg and Ronny Johnsen. Johnsen has been struggling with a hamstring problem, while Sweden international Mellberg is carrying a groin problem and neither featured at Villa Park on Saturday.

However, Turkey international Alpay is ready to retain his place after netting the opening goal against the Addicks.

Preview: Tranmere v Nottingham Forest

Tranmere striker Eugene Dadi is set to return from suspension for the Carling Cup clash with Nottingham Forest.

Dadi has served a three-game ban, and is likely to replace rookie striker Chris Dagnall, who has played in the last two matches.

Midfielder Iain Hume could also return after sitting out the draw at Notts County with a hamstring injury.

Defenders Shane Nicholson and Tyrone Loran both made successful returns from toe and hamstring injuries respectively in the clash at Meadow Lane.

Forest boss Paul Hart, meanwhile, is poised to name an unchanged squad.

Preview: Stoke City v Gillingham

Stoke City welcome back Carl Asaba for the Carling Cup second-round clash at home to Gillingham.

The former Sheffield United marksman returns to the Potters squad after missing the draw with Norwich through suspension.

However, Asaba may have to settle for a place on the substitutes bench if Tony Pulis may prefer to stick with Ade Akinbiyi.

Peter Hoekstra, who has yet to play this season, has recovered from an ankle injury and made a surprise appearance on the bench against Norwich. The former Ajax midfielder is likely to feature against the Gills.

Paul Shaw (hamstring) and player-manager Andy Hessenthaler (hip) are struggling to be fit for Gillingham.

Loan duo Wayne Brown and Trevor Benjamin are definitely ruled out as Watford and Leicester do not want them to be cup-tied.

Mark Saunders has a dead leg but should be fit to start, but Rod Wallace has not travelled with the squad as he recovers from a hamstring problem.

Preview: Rotherham v Colchester

Rotherham United may be without the services of defender Scott Minto for the Carling Cup second-round clash at home to Colchester.

If the former West Ham stopper fails to shrug off a groin strain he will be replaced by Paul Hurst who has yet to start a game for the Millers this term.

Carl Robinson, who signed a month's loan from Portsmouth last week, will make his home debut in the heart of the Rotherham midfield.

Colchester striker Scott McGleish is a doubt as he continues to struggle with a foot injury that kept him out of the 2-1 win at Peterborough.

Defender Alan White has an outside chance of playing at Millmoor after recovering from a groin strain, but goalkeeper Richard McKinney is around a week away from making a return from a knee injury.

Preview: Cardiff v West Ham

Danny Gabbidon's return to the Cardiff defence is expected to be one of many changes manager Lennie Lawrence will make for the Carling Cup clash against West Ham.

The Wales international has missed the last five games with the heel injury he picked up during the 2-1 win at Nottingham Forest.

Lawrence is known to favour a squad rotation system for the Carling Cup and goalkeeper Martyn Margetson plus Leyton Maxwell, Jason Bowen, Gavin Gordon, Gary Croft and Spencer Prior could all start against the Hammers.

On-loan Neil Mellor is rated doubtful for West Ham - the Liverpool forward missed the 2-0 defeat at Gillingham because of a sore throat and is still taking medication.

But fellow loan signings Niclas Alexandersson and Wayne Quinn are eligible after their clubs agreed to let them play.

Michael Carrick is unlikely to return from a niggling groin problem.

Preview: Hartlepool United v WBA

Hartlepool manager Neale Cooper has no fresh injury worries to contend with ahead of his side's Carling Cup clash with West Brom.

Cooper was disappointed with Pools' 2-1 loss at Brentford on Saturday - their second defeat of the season - and is expecting an improved performance against Gary Megson's men.

He said: "West Brom are a big, strong, physical side and it will be a good test for the lads. We're looking forward to it and we'll be trying our best to get through to the next round."

Adam Boyd is the only absentee with a broken toe.

Larus Sigurdsson is the Baggies' only fitness doubt.

The Iceland international limped out of the weekend's 2-2 draw against Crystal Palace with a knee injury and will face a late test ahead of the Victoria Park tie.

Otherwise, Megson's squad is at full strength with the exception of long-term injury victims Darren Moore and Michael Appleton who are both recovering from cruciate knee ligament operations.

Preview: Charlton v Luton Town

Jason Euell could earn an early reprieve for Charlton by returning against Luton following his bust-up with manager Alan Curbishley.

The club's record signing was left out of the defeat at Aston Villa as a disciplinary measure after an altercation with Curbishley in the aftermath of the home loss to Manchester United, but the pair have held talks ahead of the Carling Cup tie at The Valley.

Centre-back Richard Rufus is also in contention for a place on the bench but fellow defenders Gary Rowett and Hermann Hreidarsson (both knee) are still sidelined while Chris Perry, on loan from Tottenham, is ineligible.

Gary McSheffrey is eligible to play for Luton after the on-loan Coventry striker was granted permission to take part.

Midfielder Paul Hughes comes back into contention after serving a one-match suspension.

Lee Mansell (ankle), Steve Robinson (back) and Russell Perrett (groin) are all back in training but are unlikely to feature.

Preview: Wolves v Darlington

Paul Ince and Denis Irwin are prime candidates to drop out of the Wolves side for the visit of Darlington.

Dave Jones has indicated he will make changes for the Carling Cup second round clash following his side's humiliation against Chelsea on Saturday.

Summer signings Oleg Luzhny and Isaac Okoronkwo can both expect to make their first starts and Portuguese midfielder Silas may earn a recall.

But Hassan Kachloul is still touch and go after struggling to shake off the groin injury which prevented him making his debut against Claudio Ranieri's men.

Nathan Blake is a major doubt with a hamstring strain and goalkeeper Matt Murray is still expected to sit out with a back strain.

Darlington winger Neil Wainwright has been ruled out with an ankle injury, although X-rays have revealed there are no broken bones.

Gary Pearson is available after serving a one-match suspension.

The defender can play in the Quakers' next two matches but must then sit out a four-game ban for his second red card of the season against York.

Preview: Scunthorpe v Burnley

Scunthorpe boss Brian Laws has injury worries over several key players for the Carling Cup tie against First Division Burnley.

Skipper Mark Jackson (ankle), Lee Ridley (neck), Peter Beagrie (thigh) and Nathan Stanton (toe) are all set to miss out.

Burnley manager Stan Ternent has been handed a boost with the news all three recent loan signings have been cleared to play.

Gareth Farrelly and Delroy Facey have received permission to play from Bolton, and Blackburn will allow Andy Todd to pull on a Clarets shirt at Glanford Park.

On the injury front, Todd did pick up a toe injury in the 4-0 thrashing of Bradford on Saturday but is expected to recover in time.

Defender Mark McGregor is still definitely out with a knee injury, but midfielder Tony Grant should shake off a slight foot injury.

Preview: Portsmouth v Northampton

Harry Redknapp will leave Shaka Hislop on the sidelines for the Carling Cup clash with Northampton as he decides whether to send the goalkeeper for a hernia operation.

Redknapp will choose between Dutch summer signing Harald Wapenaar and former Newcastle keeper Pavel Srnicek as a replacement for Hislop.

Strikers Jason Roberts, on loan from West Brom, and Vincent Pericard may also feature, giving Teddy Sheringham a rest after last Saturday's first defeat of the season against Blackburn.

Gary O'Neil, Linvoy Primus and Alexei Smertin could also start but Redknapp says it is still too early to recall key defender Matt Taylor who has only just started his comeback in the reserves after being sidelined by Achilles problems in April.

Northampton have a string of injury problems and striker Martin Smith will definitely miss out after hurting his hamstring at the weekend.

Marc Richards joins him on the sidelines after suffering a similar injury in training last Friday.

The Cobblers' other absentees include Chris Willmott (thigh), Peter Clark (foot), Martin Reeves (back) and Ashley Westwood (shoulder).

Preview: Leicester v Crewe

Leicester manager Micky Adams may be forced to rest Gerry Taggart for the Carling Cup clash with Crewe.

Taggart picked up a leg injury during Saturday's defeat at Anfield.

Keith Gillespie is another rated as doubtful after struggling to shake off the ankle knock which ruled him out of the Liverpool fixture while Alan Rogers will serve the final match of a three-game suspension.

Marcus Bent will also be missing, the on-loan Ipswich striker being cup-tied after featuring in Town's first-round win over Kidderminster.

Crewe boss Dario Gradi is expected to stick with a winning line-up after his side's impressive league victory against Nottingham Forest on Saturday.

Adie Moses is Gradi's only injury concern, with the former Huddersfield defender struggling with a hamstring problem he sustained against Burnley.

Preview: Wigan v Fulham

Wigan boss Paul Jewell is set to name an unchanged line-up for the Carling Cup tie against Fulham.

Mark Burchill has returned to Portsmouth after spending a month on loan at The JJB Stadium.

Defender Jason De Vos could be out for another eight weeks with a foot injury, while Jason Jarrett (knee) and Steve McMillan (groin) should both return in the next week.

Fulham manager Chris Coleman has no fresh injury concerns following Saturday's draw with Manchester City.

Barry Hayles is still sidelined with his troublesome ankle while midfielder Sean Davis is facing at least two more weeks out with his knee injury.

Otherwise the Cottagers have a full-strength squad to select from.

Sylvain Legwinski is available - his suspension starts against Blackburn on Sunday.

Preview: Blackpool v Birmingham

Blackpool boss Steve McMahon is likely to name an unchanged side for the Carling Cup visit of Birmingham.

Midfielder Sean Doherty, the Seasiders' new loan signing from Fulham, will not feature due to suspension.

John Murphy is likely to start on the bench despite scoring against Stockport at the weekend.

Birmingham manager Steve Bruce may turn to a number of his fringe players.

Clinton Morrison and Olivier Tebily could be in line for a starting role.

Argentinian Luciano Figueroa, a £2.5million summer capture from Rosario Central who has yet to even figure on the bench this season, may also get a game.

Although Christophe Dugarry only returned at Leeds on Saturday after a month-long lay-off, the Frenchman is likely to be rested.

Preview: Crystal Palace v Doncaster

Darren Powell is an injury doubt for Crystal Palace's Carling Cup tie against Doncaster at Selhurst Park.

Powell missed the weekend's 2-2 draw with West Brom because of a thigh problem and is likely to be rested.

Tommy Black remains suspended after picking up a four-match ban following his red card in a friendly.

Goalkeeper Matt Clarke is absent with a knee injury, but boss Steve Kember has no new injury worries to contend with.

Winger Francis Tierney is doubtful for Rovers with a calf strain.

Tierney lasted 80 minutes of the 2-0 win against Oxford on Saturday before limping out of the action with a recurrence of the problem.

Manager Dave Penney is wary of the threat posed by the Eagles, saying: "They started the season well, but, by all accounts have been playing well recently without really getting the goals - a bit like ourselves. It's going to be a big test."

Preview: Sunderland v Huddersfield Town

Sunderland manager Mick McCarthy is sweating on the fitness of a couple of players ahead of the Carling Cup clash with Huddersfield.

Darren Williams and Stephen Wright will hope to shake off ankle and calf problems respectively in time to play at the Stadium of Light.

But Gary Breen and Phil Babb are out with groin strains while Jason McAteer is still recovering from a hamstring tear.

Huddersfield boss Peter Jackson welcomes back Danny Schofield from suspension, but Rob Edwards (hamstring) is doubtful.

Defender Efe Sodje serves the second match of a three-game ban, while David Murphy is fit to play despite having stitches on an eye wound after Saturday's defeat at Swansea.

"There is very little pressure on us," Jackson said. "We're a Third Division side going to possibly the biggest team in Division One."

Preview: Notts County v Ipswich

Notts County striker Paul Heffernan is expected to return to the ranks for the Carling Cup clash with Ipswich.

Heffernan is free to feature against County's second-round opponents after completing a three-game suspension.

Midfield duo Paul Bolland and Simon Baldry are carrying respective knee and ankle injuries, but are nevertheless expected to start after coming through the draw with Tranmere.

Town will give a full debut to 17-year-old striker Dean Bowditch, who scored in their first-round win over Kidderminster.

However, manager Joe Royle will be without England Under-21 international Darren Bent who has a knee ligament injury.

Ian Westlake will also start and Matt Bloomfield, who has been in good form for the reserves, should be in the squad

Preview: Sheffield United v QPR

Sheffield United boss Neil Warnock will work until the last possible moment to receive clearance for Paul Gerrard and Jon Harley to play against QPR.

Goalkeeper Gerrard, on-loan from Everton, and Harley, on a temporary switch from Fulham, are yet to be cleared to play in the Carling Cup which would mean they would be cup-tied for their respective clubs later in the competition.

Robert Page could miss the game against Rangers with a troublesome leg knock, while Chris Morgan has a fractured arm. Midfielder Michael Brown could return after a three-match suspension.

Ian Holloway has the luxury of an almost fully-fit squad. Utility man Matthew Rose is the only player still on the treatment table following an ankle injury.

But Holloway could make changes from the side which earned a late point against Luton.

Striker Tony Thorpe staked a claim for a recall after coming off the bench to set up the equaliser at Kenilworth Road.(Ananova)

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review: Middlesbrough v Brighton

Middlesbrough will be without Gaizka Mendieta against Brighton in the Carling Cup.

The Spanish international has not recovered from a calf strain picked up in training.

Manager Steve McClaren has refused to be drawn on whether he will make changes following a 1-0 Premier League win over Everton but has promised to play a strong side.

Brighton striker Chris McPhee is likely to win another chance to push his claim for a regular first-team spot.

Reading have requested that on-loan striker Darius Henderson does not play in cup games so McPhee is favourite to line up alongside Leon Knight in attack.

McPhee netted the winner in the previous round against Bristol Rovers and scored in Saturday's 2-0 win over Sheffield Wednesday.

Preview: Bolton v Walsall

Ibrahim Ba and Jardel are poised to play for Bolton in the Carling Cup match against Walsall at the Reebok Stadium.

It will be full debut for Ba and a home debut for Jardel, and manager Sam Allardyce will rest four senior players - Youri Djorkaeff, Jussi Jaaskelainen, Emerson Thome and Ivan Campo.

Walsall boss Colin Lee has fitness worries over five of his players going into the clash.

Lee is sweating on the fitness of ankle injury trio Paul Merson, Danny Hay and Pedro Mathias while Darren Wrack has a calf strain and Ian Roper a groin problem.

All five will undergo late fitness tests with Wrack and Roper the least likely to play a part in Lancashire.

But Walsall have been boosted by the return of Zigor Aranalde, the left-sided defender having completed a three-game suspension.

Portsmouth have granted Walsall's on-loan striker Deon Burton, who has bounced back from a neck injury, permission to play.


LEEDS V SWINDON
Peter Reid will ring the changes as struggling Leeds look to kickstart their season with Carling Cup victory over Division Two Swindon Town.

David Batty is set for his start since April 2002, while on-loan Marseille striker Cyril Chapuis is likely to make his debut in attack, with Mark Viduka rested.

Another loan signing, Jermaine Pennant, will definitelty not play having been denied clearance by Arsenal, which could mean 16-year-old Aaron Lennon starting.

Seth Johnson is available again after missing Saturday's home defeat by Birmingham with tonsilitis.

Swindon have a major doubt over striker Tommy Mooney.

The former Birmingham man has calf and hamstring problems and along with, skipper Andy Gurney and Adi Viveash, missed training on Monday.

If Mooney does not pass a fitness test, then either Jon Stevenson or Grant Smith will partner the in-form Sam Parkin in the Robins' attack.


Preview: Coventry v Tottenham

Coventry manager Gary McAllister is expected to start on the bench as he names an unchanged squad for the Carling Cup clash with Spurs at Highfield Road.

In stark contrast to the beleaguered north Londoners, the Sky Blues go into the second-round tie riding high on confidence after coming from behind to beat Reading at the Madejski Stadium on Saturday.

McAllister, free from new injury worries or suspension, is set to keep faith with the same starting XI which served him so well against the Royals.

Simon Davies could return for managerless Tottenham in their first match post-Glenn Hoddle.

Davies, who has missed the last two matches against Chelsea and Southampton with a slight thigh strain, could make his comeback alongside Gus Poyet (wrist).

Caretaker boss David Pleat may also restore Robbie Keane to the starting XI, after the Irish striker came off the bench for his first appearance of the season in Saturday's 3-1 defeat to the Saints.

Christian Ziege (thigh) and Ledley King (hamstring) are still struggling - but neither is expected to be a long-term absentee.