However, against the improving Sheffield United who have had two excellent Championship victories on the bounce since the second round draw was made it will be far from easy despite Town securing a 2-1 pre-season victory. The Blades managed by former Town reserve goalkeeper Kevin Blackwell have scored three goals in each of their last three matches (one of those in the Carling Cup First Round) and after their 3-1 win over Blackpool on Saturday sit in fifth place in the Championship table.

Town will also welcome back Jon Stead, who looks likely to face his old team, with his boss expecting a tough match this evening. Two of those players (Andy Booth and Andy Butler) who Blackwell has signalled out on the Blades official website as 'dangermen' for Town however are not fit for this evening's Yorkshire derby.

The second round draw is a good one for Town, with a second home tie and yet another Yorkshire derby victory, and Ternent will be hoping his side can show the promise shown during the first round tie when Bradford City was beaten 4-0 at the Galpharm Stadium.

As with that fixture the club is expecting a passionate and large following with the visitors and if Town are not at their very best they risk getting blown away by on form United. And on Saturday Town were blown away by the sheer energy and speed of the MK Dons offensive moves. Town lacked pride and passion on Saturday and the exhilaration Stan Ternent's team's are famed for was just not there.

Ternent himself has taken some of the blame for the performance on Saturday, and he says he now realises that some members of his squad are not rising to the expectations of a summer of hope building and record season ticket sales have made.

Indeed, some of those failing to meet Ternent's requirements, could indeed be some of the new signings he has brought in. Town if reports are to be believed have missed out on the signing of Dagenham and Redbridge 19 year old left winger Dominic Green who has today signed for Peterborough United for a undisclosed fee.

Green had looked like coming to the Galpharm Stadium and becoming Ternent's 11th summer signing but the player has decided to stay more southern based and joined Darren Ferguson's London Road outfit.

Town were last in the second round of the league cup in 2005/2006 when despite a plucky performance went down 3-1 at Ewood Park. The best finish in the recent history of the Terriers was a round 4 exit to Wimbledon (then of the top flight) in 1999/2000. Town went down 2-1 after extra time at home having taken a first half lead. That cup run was noted for the stunning Kenny Irons strike which dumped out premiership Chelsea at Stamford Bridge 1-0.

The last time the Terriers tasted round 3 action in the league cup was the 2003/2004 season. Goals from John Stead and American John Thorrington gave Town a 2-1 comeback home victory in round one over Derby County, which was then followed up in September 2003 with a 4-2 thrilling victory at the Stadium of Light.

Town raced into an impressive 2 goal lead by 20 minutes with Tony Carss and Jon Stead scoring. But Kevin Kyle (25) pulled one back for the Black Cats, before Town scored two further goals in the second half through Andy Holdsworth (54) and Andy Booth (87), and an injury time second from Kyle could not spoil the Town celebration on an impressive victory.

Peter Jackson's side however exited the competition at the next stage when a trip to Reading ended with a 1-0 defeat. Nicky Forster grabbing the only goal of the match for the Royals with seven minutes remaining after Town had battled hard against their higher placed rivals.

2007/2008: Round 1
2006/2007: Round 1
2005/2006: Round 2
2004/2005: Round 1
2003/2004: Round 3
2002/2003: Round 2
2001/2002: Round 1
2000/2001: Round 1
1999/2000: Round 4
1998/1999: Round 2
1997/1998: Round 2
1996/1997: Round 2
1995/1996: Round 2
1994/1995: Round 2
1993/1994: Round 2

08/09 - Round 1 - Bradford City (home) - Won 4-0 - through
07/08 - Round 1 - Blackpool (away) - Lost 0-1 - out
06/07 - Round 1 - Mansfield Town (home) - Lost 0-2 - out
05/06 - Round 1 - Chesterfield (away) - Won 4-2 - through
05/06 - Round 2 - Blackburn (away) - Lost 1-3 - out
04/05 - Round 1 - Leeds United (away) - Lost 0-1 - out

So Town's record in the league cup is far from impressive in a tournament where their best ever finish came in 1967/1968 when the then division two side (second tier) reached the semi-finals under Tom Johnston.

In round 5 they won a reply at Leeds Road 2-1 against Fulham, having beaten West Ham United (home, 2-0, round 4), Norwich City (away, 1-0, round 3), Wolves (home, 1-0, round 2). Town entered the competition at round 2 stage.

Town fans are still waiting for their next trip in a main cup final to Wembley and it as been 70 long years since they reached their last one.

With Ternent's exclamation that he is looking forward to the challenge this evening and looking forward to the higher placed team and the test the Blades will offer, it would just be like Town that following the defeat on Saturday to win this one tonight.

Town's manager will have to make a number of changes to the starting line-up from Saturday. Liam Dickinson cannot play due to his parent club Derby County not wishing to have him cup tied and Ian Craney is cup tied having featured for former club Accrington Stanley. Also out injured are Andy Booth and Andy Butler.

£10 - Adults
£5 - Seniors
£5 - Full time students
£3 - Under 16's

These prices apply to all sections of the stadium, the Fantastic Media Lower Stand will be closed for this fixture.

4,500 tickets will be available for Sheffield United fans with an initial 2,500 allocated with the further 2,000 if required. They go on General Sale at Brammall Lane ticket office Tuesday August 19th.

Mr N Miller (County Durham)

Blackburn Rovers v Grimsby Town
Fulham v Leicester City
Huddersfield Town v Sheffield United
Nottingham Forest v Sunderland
West Ham United v Macclesfield Town

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