Everton v Huddersfield Town: Town hoping to taste sweet success with trip to Everton

The Southport-born Terriers captain started his career at Goodison Park and made nine Premier League appearances before moving to Blackpool in 2004.

Clarke subsequently moved to Southend United before joining Huddersfield last summer.

The 28-year-old said: "It is nice to go back. Everton are part of my past and there will be one or two faces that I know still there.

"Everton have had a big change around in the playing staff but there are still a few at the club. I also think most of the backroom staff are still there.

"But it is not about seeing old friends. It is about going there and being professional. We want to put on a professional performance that we can be proud of.

"If we do that, who knows where we can go as a result."

The draw for the second round has handed Huddersfield arguably the hardest possible encounter with Everton having finished last season in eighth place.

With Merseyside rivals Liverpool having finished just one place higher to earn a place in the Europa League qualifiers and therefore exempt from the Carling Cup until the third round stage, it means the Toffees are the highest-placed club that Town could have faced.

Clarke added: "Everton are one of the clubs in the Premier League with a strong history. Anyone who has been there can see the fans are close to the pitch.

"It is an old-fashioned ground in that way. One of not many still around in football. The people are very proud of their club."

Town expect to be backed by around 4,500 fans tonight at Goodison Park and manager Lee Clark insists his side have a chance of causing an upset.

He said: "We have a great chance. If we don't believe that is the case, I might as well phone David Moyes now and tell him he can have a bye.

"We are going there to give it our best shot. It is one of the few times this season when we will be underdogs.

"Hopefully, the players can do themselves proud with the performance as well as the supporters of the club."

Huddersfield bowed out of the Carling Cup at the second round stage last season with a 4-3 defeat to Newcastle United at St James' Park.

The League One side did, however, lead 3-1 at one stage with the eventual Championship title winners needing an 84th-minute goal from Kevin Nolan to progress to the third round.

Clark, a former Newcastle midfielder, said: "At this stage last season, we came away fromNewcastle with our heads held high. But this is a step up in level. Newcastle did magnificently in winning the Championship, but Everton are an established top 10 side."

Town goalkeeper Alex Smithies has received a call-up to the England Under-21 squad for the UEFA Under-21 Championship qualifiers against Portugal on September 3 and Lithuania on September 7.

Everton captain Phil Neville will have a late fitness test ahead of tonight's match after he was forced to sit out the 1-1 draw with Wolves at the weekend because of a foot injury.

Striker Ayegbeni Yakubu is out after taking a bang on his shin.

Last six games: Everton WWDWLD, Huddersfield Town DLWWDL.

Last time: Everton 2 Huddersfield Town 1; September 23, 1998; League Cup.

Referee: N Swarbrick (Lancashire).