London Capital One Cup tie previews
Bristol City v Crystal Palace
■ FOUR-TIME semi-finalists Crystal Palace could hand debuts to summer signings goalkeeper Neil Alexander, plus defender Florian Marange and midfielder Elliot Grandin. Welshman Jonny Williams, 19, could also make his first start of the season for Ian Holloway’s team. Bristol City, without a league win this term, may hand a first start to former West Ham striker Marlon Harewood. Palace have not won at Ashton Gate since 1980.
Burton Albion v Fulham
■ MARTIN Jol’s Fulham will be the first ever visitors to the Pirelli Stadium for a League Cup tie, with Burton having been drawn away in all seven previous games in the competition. Goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg and midfielder Kieran Richardson are out with respective shoulder and hamstring injuries. The teams have never met competitively.
Derby County v Brentford
■ UNBEATEN Brentford will be without on-loan Everton striker Conor McAleny, who broke his right tibia in Saturday’s 1-0 win against Walsall and is expected to miss the majority of the season. Defender Adam Smith, on loan from Tottenham, could be recalled for Derby having made his only other appearance in the first round at Oldham.
Huddersfield Town v Charlton
■ CHARLTON have made a slow start to the season but could be boosted by the return of captain Johnnie Jackson after a calf injury. The Addicks are yet to win in the Championship this term and have not reached round three of the League Cup since 2007. Meanwhile, Huddersfield have not won a second round tie for 10 years.
Leyton Orient v Hull City Tigers
■ LEAGUE One pace-setters Leyton Orient are sweating on the fitness of winger Moses Odubajo, who suffered a knee injury in Saturday’s 2-0 victory over Crewe. Veteran striker Kevin Lisbie could also be rested with summer signing Shaun Batt standing by. Hull, who knocked Orient out of the FA Cup last season in a third round replay, have striker Yannick Sagbo suspended.
Queens Park Rangers v Swindon
■ QPR have concerns over the fitness of wingers Junior Hoilett and Matt Phillips as Harry Redknapp’s side look to maintain their unbeaten start to the campaign. Swindon, who allowed striker Paul Benson to join Luton Town on loan yesterday, have gone two games without a win and have won just one of their last 10 games against Rangers.
West Ham United v Cheltenham
■ FORMER Manchester United youngster Ravel Morrison is expected to make his first start of the season for West Ham, while defender Razvan Rat is set to make his debut. Cheltenham, in line to make £50,000 from the tie, are without veteran striker Jamie Cureton, who has a dislocated shoulder, but Terry Gornell is fit to start in attack. The pair have never previously met.