Port Vale will have a visit to a Championship side in the second round of this season’s League Cup competition.
The Valiants defeated Blackpool 1-0 on Tuesday night to reach the next round and the draw for that second round was made before Wednesday’s games.
It sees either Birmingham City or Sheffield United playing host to Vale.
Update: after the first round games were concluded, Vale will now face Birmingham City
The draw in full
Northern section
Accrington Stanley v Doncaster Rovers
Barnsley/Fleetwood Town v Rotherham United
Birmingham City/Sheffield United v Port Vale
Bolton Wanderers/Sheffield Wednesday v Leeds United
Burnley v Derby County
Everton v Mansfield Town
Grimsby Town v Manchester United
Preston North End v Wrexham
Stoke City v Bradford City
Sunderland v Huddersfield Town/Leicester City
Tranmere Rovers/Burton Albion v Lincoln City
Wigan Athletic v Stockport County
Southern section
Bournemouth v Brentford
Bromley v Wycombe Wanderers
Cambridge United v Charlton Athletic
Cardiff City v Cheltenham Town/Exeter City
Fulham v Bristol City
Millwall v Coventry City
Norwich City v Southampton
Oxford United v Brighton & HA
Reading v AFC Wimbledon
Swansea City v Plymouth Argyle
Wolves v West Ham United
Ties to be played week commencing 25 August.
So, it will be Birmingham City away in the next round. Difficult tie, but the result needn’t be a foregone conclusion if Vale field as near as possible a full strength side. But, I strongly suspect Moore will probably decide against this, and utilize his squad to give minutes to his irregular starters. Someone in the club can remind him that with focused effort the League Cup can deliver “against the odds” results and vital financial boosts.