Blues' home record at stake against Dons

Mathias Kouo-Doumbe has his sights set on Birmingham's unbeaten home record as MK Dons travel to St Andrew's tonight for their third-round Carling Cup tie.

Alex McLeish's Barclays Premier League outfit have not lost on home soil in any competition since Bolton won 2-1 last September – almost a year ago to the day. But the Dons, currently fourth in League One, make the trip in confident mood having disposed of Blackpool in the last round.

Defender Kouo-Doumbe was part of the side beaten 3-2 by Blues in a pre-season friendly at stadiummk only last month and he admits they face an extremely tough encounter.

"They work hard for each other and they defend really well, so we know it's going to be a good test," he said.

"If we can get a good result there it will show we can compete with teams at that level.

"I think they're unbeaten there since last year so to go there and get a result would be fantastic."

Elsewhere, Burnley boss Brian Laws is predicting a mixed response for Owen Coyle as he makes his first return to Turf Moor since quitting the Clarets to take charge at Bolton in January.

It promises to be an electric atmosphere as the two Lancashire rivals come together for a place in the fourth round of the competition, with all eyes firmly on Coyle.

Laws said: "I think there will be a mixture (of a response) but I think he should be proud of what he's done at this football club.

"I have great respect for Owen and what he has done for this football club but I can also see how the supporters feel."

Brentford host Everton at Griffin Park full of confidence after seeing off Hull in round two and determined to add to David Moyes's woes after a mediocre start to the Toffees' league campaign.

Notts County travel to Wolves, with Smethwick-born striker and West Brom idol Lee Hughes aiming to get one over on the gold half of the Black Country.

The remaining ties involving Football League sides see Leicester go to Portsmouth and Millwall host Ipswich while Swansea travel to Peterborough.