The Carling League Cup third round takes place this week with 16 games spread over Tuesday and Wednesday. Fulham's reward for eventually beating Lincoln City, in the second round, was a third round home draw against West Brom on Tuesday evening at 19.45.

Both clubs will of course have their minds on Premiership survival so the squads will be depleted by injuries and the need to give fringe players a chance. The managers will speak of the competition as being a way to get into Europe however the UEFA Cup is a pale substitute for another season in the Premiership. The need to rest players for the more important Premiership competition may give ex-Fulham midfielder Junichi Inamoto the chance to run out at Craven Cottage.

The European Champions are back in town on Tuesday, still smarting from their 2-0 beating by Fulham on Saturday. This time they play Crystal Palace while Arsenal travel North to Sunderland and Fulham Broadway are at home to Charlton