Robins to see if youngsters can take to big stage

HUDDERSFIELD TOWN manager Mark Robins is quietly confident the Terriers can cause a Capital One Cup upset at the KC Stadium tonight.
Mark RobinsMark Robins
Mark Robins

There was little to choose between the two sides when they last met in the Championship in March when a thunderbolt from George Boyd led to a 1-0 home defeat.

Robins will make changes for the third-round tie in East Yorkshire, which takes place three days before the home league game against Blackpool on Friday.

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Robins, who locks horns with his former Manchester United team-mate Steve Bruce in tonight’s White Rose derby, said: “The schedule dictates what we do because we have a very quick turnaround ahead of Blackpool on Friday.

“It is a big week for us, one that will be interesting and exciting. I have plenty of options and there will be an opportunity to impress for one or two.

“Any changes that are made will be done on merit and for the right reasons.

“I have planned accordingly and will select a side that is experienced, but also has one or two new faces.

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“That is the exciting bit for me because one or two have done well in the Under-21s and I want to see if they can produce that on the big stage when it really matters.

“Also, the lads who have been on the fringes of the first team will have an opportunity to impress and lay claim to a shirt.

“We will be underdogs, but we have a fighting chance and we think we can cause an upset.

“We have players who can create and score goals.”

Defender Joel Lynch, impressive so far this campaign, is expected to miss out with a knee injury.

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Lynch was withdrawn from Saturday’s goalless draw at Blackburn after taking a bang on the knee and his replacement Calum Woods could return to the starting line-up.

Winger Danny Ward is hoping to shake off an ankle injury sustained last week in training in order to stake his claim.

Oliver Norwood, Oscar Gobern and Sean Scannell are among those hoping to feature.

Town are seeking to reach the fourth round of the League Cup for the first time in over a decade this evening.

The club’s last appearance at that stage of the competition was back in 1999-2000 when they bowed out to Wimbledon on home soil.