League Cup round-up: Harrogate Town's Simon Weaver eager to learn from past mistakes

The Sulphurites have been drawn at home to Preston North End in the League Cup second round and since the names came out of the hat, the Lilywhites have appointed former Harrogate defender Paul Heckingbottom as manager.

But the hosts' focus will be on improving a dreadful record against Championship opposition since they joined the Football League in 2020.

Last season's 8-0 defeat to Blackburn Rovers at the same stage of the competition took their record to 15 goals conceded without reply in three ties.

"It's a good experience for the players but one we want to come out with a lot of credit from and learn from past experiences, which have been difficult against Championship teams," said manager Weaver.

“Paul Heckingbottom used to play for me many moons ago before he moved into coaching and it will be great to see him, but ultimately it’s a cup game we want to cause an upset in, in front of a packed-out home venue."

Riley McGree is likely to join Rav van den Berg, Jonny Howson, Dael Fry and Darragh Lenihan on Middlesbrough's injury list for the visit of Stoke City.

“Rav just wasn’t ready for Saturday," said manager Michael Carrick, who had to use Luke Ayling at centre-back against Portsmouth. "He won’t be ready for Tuesday either. There is no point in rushing him or risking him on Tuesday, so we’ll just see how he is this week and make a decision before Cardiff.

“Riley we’ll see. We need to manage that and perhaps be patient. Whether he is back for Tuesday or Saturday, we’ll see. But certainly no need to push him for Tuesday.”

Rotherham have calls to make on three players who missed Saturday's 2-0 defeat at Wycombe Wanderers. Manager Steve Evans said at the time Chris Tiehi, Joe Rafferty (both groin) and Sean Raggett (knee) would be out for "days". His side are at League Two Fleetwood Town in round two.

Meanwhile the Football League Trophy game at Bradford City has been moved to November 19.