Aston Villa v Burnley
Aston Villa defender Aaron Hughes is ruled out of the Carling Cup match because of a recurring hernia problem.
Hughes will see a specialist so Mark Delaney steps up for his first start of the season after injury and midfielder Gavin McCann also makes the squad.
Burnley manager Steve Cotterill will be without midfielder Micah Hyde as he is serving a one-match ban.
Graham Branch (calf) remains doubtful while Cotterill revealed his squad picked up a few knocks at the weekend.
# Aston Villa midfielder Gareth Barry:
"If we're not on the ball in terms of effort and commitment then we'll get beaten.
"We should see this competition as a route into Europe. We will be taking it seriously but it will be a tough game."
Burnley boss Steve Cotterill:
"We know what size club we are and we know what we're taking on in Aston Villa.
"We were delighted with our performance last year but that's a year gone and I would imagine the sides will be different now.
"We're under no illusions about how tough a task it will be there."
Blackburn v Leeds
Blackburn defender Ryan Nelsen is struggling to shake off a minor knee injury in time for the Carling Cup tie against Leeds.
Winger David Thompson and striker Matt Jansen are in line for run-outs while forward Craig Bellamy could also start.
On-loan Leeds midfielder Jon Douglas is eligible to face parent club Blackburn but is doubtful with a calf injury.
Fellow midfielder Shaun Derry serves a one-match ban so Gylfi Einarsson and Sean Gregan are pushing for recalls.
# Blackburn manager Mark Hughes:
"Our home form has been good, so we're looking forward to it.
"I believe that cup games can help your league form. I don't view them as a distraction but as a positive."
# Leeds goalkeeper Neil Sullivan:
"It's going to be a big test for us and will show us how far we've come.
"We're going okay and there's no reason why we shouldn't look forward to it.
Fulham v West Brom
Fulham goalkeeper Mark Crossley is sidelined for the Carling Cup tie and faces three weeks out after damaging his hamstring at the weekend.
Claus Jensen (knee), Brian McBride (foot) and Niclas Jensen (rested) are all out but Zat Knight returns.
Chris Kirkland (ribs), Martin Albrechtsen (hamstring) and Steve Watson (groin) are all injury doubts ahead of West Brom's trip to Fulham.
Defender Curtis Davies is cup-tied after playing for previous club Luton.
# Fulham boss Chris Coleman:
"We want to do well in this competition and build on the results we've had.
"We are up against another Premiership team so if we want to do well we will have to field a strong team, it's as simple as that.
"The winner gets into Europe and it's a big incentive for us and reaching a final would be an achievement."
# West Brom number two Nigel Pearson:
"A good cup run can help with confidence. We're going to go out to try to win the game.
"We have got players who might not be available and we've got to look at who can play two games in 48 hours. It is inevitable there will be changes."
Sunderland v Arsenal
Sunderland goalkeeper Ben Alnwick is set to replace Kelvin Davis and Danny Collins returns to the defence for the visit of Arsenal in the Carling Cup.
Unsettled striker Jon Stead will get a start while on-loan Arsenal defender Justin Hoyte has permission to play.
Arsenal captain Thierry Henry, Dennis Bergkamp, Robert Pires and Gilberto are likely to be rested for the cup tie.
While Freddie Ljungberg, Alexander Hleb, Jose Antonio Reyes, Sol Campbell and Ashley Cole remain injury doubts.
# Sunderland manager Mick McCarthy:
"Jon Stead was excellent in the reserves. He worked his shift and that's what I saw in him before I brought him here.
"I've had words with him and he was disappointed with his performances. It's refreshing to hear that.
"Now what he has to do is put it into the first team."
# Arsenal striker Thierry Henry on the club's youngsters:
"You don't have a lot of players who arrive at 17 and are successful instantly.
"They have one or two years where they struggle. At that age, I was in and out of the Monaco team and it was hard."
Wigan v Watford
Wigan striker Jason Roberts will sit out the Carling Cup tie after picking up a thigh strain at the weekend.
Mike Pollitt could return in goal while Stephen McMillan, Matt Jackson and Ryan Taylor are all set for starting places as boss Paul Jewell makes many changes.
Watford manager Adrian Boothroyd has a full-strength squad at his disposal for the trip to the JJB Stadium.
Academy duo Francino Francis and Adrian Mariappa will travel after making their debuts earlier in the competition.
# Watford assistant Keith Burkinshaw:
"Nobody expected them to be up there so we'll be up against it but we'll give it a good go.
"It won't be any easier if they have a weakened side because whoever they bring in will have a bit of class."
# Wigan manager Paul Jewell:
"We've got a decent squad and if we get injuries and suspensions then someone's misfortune is an opportunity for somebody else.
"We have got to perform to our optimum in nearly every match to get a result and that takes an awful lot out of us.
"But the players are fit and are full of desire and determination."
Crystal Palace v Liverpool
Steven Gerrard may return for Liverpool after injuring his shin playing for England against Austria.
Reserve team captain David Raven may start at right-back and Darren Potter and Zak Whitbread are set to play with Jamie Carragher expected to be rested.
Crystal Palace are without striker Jon Macken (hamstring), while defender Danny Butterfield (groin) and Winger Jobi McAnuff (ankle) are doubtful.
Macken's absence means Dougie Freedman should play alongside Clinton Morrison.
# Crystal Palace boss Iain Dowie:
"Everyone is looking forward to the match against the European champions.
"We know it will be a massive task but the players and management are up for the challenge."
# Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez:
"Now is the time to be positive and we need now to think about Crystal Palace. I am not talking about priorities.
"Palace are good workers and we know it will be a physical game.
"We want to win all the competitions this season but we will take it one game at a time."
Mansfield v Millwall
On-loan Manchester City midfielder Jonathan D'Laryea has been cleared to play for Mansfield in their Carling Cup third-round tie with Millwall.
Jason Talbot (concussion) Gus Uhlenbeek (dead leg) and Gavin Peers (hamstring) are all pushing for a place.
Millwall are without Ady Williams and Jermaine Wright, who are ineligible under the terms of their loan deals.
On-loan Spurs right-back Phil Ifil serves a one-match ban and left-back Jamie Vincent has a hamstring injury.
# Millwall manager Colin Lee:
"We've such a small squad and life is even more difficult for us when we can't get our strongest team on the pitch.
"Mansfield knocked out Southampton in the previous round, so it will be a very difficult game for us."
Reading v Sheff Utd
Reading defender Chris Makin is doubtful after picking up a knee injury against Stoke while Leroy Lita is definitely out with an ankle problem.
Captain Graeme Murty could return after missing the last four games while John Oster, Stephen Hunt, Eric Obinna and Graham Stack all chase starting places.
Sheffield United will be without striker Vincent Pericard as he is struggling with an ankle injury.
Defender Chris Morgan is suspended but Craig Short is back in contention.
# Reading boss Steve Coppell:
"We've had a big physical test against Stoke and we have another big week coming up.
"I'll certainly make some changes but it's an insult to call them fringe players - I'll play a balanced team."
Doncaster v Gillingham
Doncaster will be without Jonathan Forte for the visit of Gillingham in the Carling Cup after the striker was recalled by Sheffield United.
Defender Simon Marples, who is recovering from a dead leg, faces a late fitness.
Gillingham midfielder Danny Spiller is ruled out after leaving Saturday's defeat at Bradford with a protective cast on his leg.
Neil Harris is cup-tied having played previously for Nottingham Forest.
from the
bbc
Carling Cup - 25/26th Oct
TOTW/F/M Award(s): 2
first & rest a few which would make Watford worth looking at @ 9/2 B365.
