Manchester City v Hull City: Wembley hat-trick target as Tigers aim for shock

Hull City, meanwhile, have just one. Tom Huddlestone played for an hour of Tottenham Hotspur’s 2008 triumph over Chelsea as a substitute and admits the day is one he will never forget.

His medal has pride of place at his mother’s house, on show in a frame along with his shirt from an afternoon when Jonathan Woodgate netted an extra-time winner to seal Spurs’ first trophy in nine years.

Huddlestone will think of that special day – and his appearance in the 2014 FA Cup final with the Tigers – when Steve Bruce’s men travel to the Etihad Stadium looking to pull off an almighty shock.

“Manchester City is kind of like a free hit for us,” said the 28-year-old midfielder ahead of Hull’s first appearance in the quarter-final of the League Cup.

“We go there to do the best we can but also knowing that we aren’t expected to win. All we can do is justice to ourselves on the night and then see where that takes us. We want to play as well as we did against Leicester in the last round.”

Claudio Ranieri’s surprise package are one of two top-flight teams beaten by Hull in this season’s competition, the Foxes losing in the fourth round on penalties.

The other came in the previous round when Swansea City were beaten 1-0 at the KC Stadium.

Tonight, however, will be an altogether different assignment against a side that sits on top of the Premier League and is already through to the knockout stages of the Champions League.

“I am not thinking about another winners’ medal,” said Huddlestone when asked about possibly emulating the Spurs side of 2008.

“It will be a tough game. They have big Premier League matches and ones in the Champions League so might make a few changes.

“But they have a strength in depth that most Premier League teams can only dream about.

“It will be tough regardless, but we just have to do what we are doing in the league. We try to win every game and this will be no different.”

Hull head along the M62 having surrendered the lead of the Championship last Friday to Derby County.

It was the East Riding club’s first defeat in 14 league and cup outings so tonight offers the chance to bounce back in spectacular style.

The hosts, who lifted the trophy in 2014 by beating Sunderland, are strongly fancied to see off the Tigers, but the Capital One Cup has had more than enough shocks already this term to suggest Bruce’s men have a chance.

If Hull can prevail, it will leave Huddlestone potentially 180 minutes away from a Wembley return after playing in two League Cup finals for Spurs and the Yorkshire outfit’s FA Cup final loss to Arsenal.

“Winning the Cup (with Spurs) was brilliant, especially as it was against one of our big rivals in Chelsea,” he added.

“Tottenham also hadn’t won anything for nine or 10 years. There was a lot of pressure round the ground but the manager (Juande Ramos) was great. The day before, he took us away go-karting. We didn’t train at all.

“It took our minds off it. He wanted to relax us and prevent us from getting anxious. He didn’t want us sitting in our rooms, thinking about the game.

“That took our minds off it and we went out the following day and played really well. We deserved to win.”

Asked which of his three final appearances was his favourite, Huddlestone replied: “The FA Cup final means a lot more to people. One of the reasons is that the League Cup final is during the season.

“It isn’t the climax. The FA Cup is at the end and you know everyone is watching. The occasion is massive and one everyone loved growing up.

“We’d all meet up as a family and watch the match, no matter who was playing. To be part of that for Hull was an unbelievable experience and one that, on another day, we could have won.”

Last six games: Manchester City WWDLLW, Hull City DWWWDL.

Referee: N Swarbrick (Lancashire).

Last time: Manchester City 1 Hull City 1; February 7, 2015; Premier League.