Birmingham City v Manchester Utd: Given the spectre of relegation that looms large over Birmingham City, it hardly seems appropriate that silverware should be occupying the minds of Steve Bruce's embattled players.
At least that is the view of many supporters who would gladly swap victory over Manchester United tonight for three points when the teams meet in the Premiership in eight days' time.
But Birmingham's chairman David Gold has other ideas, reasoning that a place in the last four of a competition that has gained credence in recent years would be a much-needed fillip before a demanding festive period that includes trips to Chelsea and Tottenham.
"People keep dismissing tonight as unimportant, I don't and I know Steve doesn't," said Gold. "We have got to brush ourselves down and come out battling against United. We see it as important to the club to win these kind of games because they raise the spirit and right now we've got to say that one of our problems is confidence."
Never more so was that evident than on Saturday when Bruce saw his side suffer a humiliating 4-1 defeat at Manchester City which brought stinging criticism. His former club is likely to be equally unforgiving tonight as Alex Ferguson, the manager under whom Bruce played with such success for nine years, seeks to keep alive United's best chance of winning a trophy this season.
Bruce would merely settle for Premiership survival at the moment. His position as manager remains secure after yet another vote of confidence yesterday, though greater uncertainty surrounds next month's transfer budget.
Bruce has indicated that he would like to sign at least four players to stave off the threat of relegation but Birmingham's precarious league position has prompted the board to adopt a more circumspect approach.
"Our history tells you over the last 13 years of the Gold and David Sullivan (era) we are there in the hour of need and I guess that might well be the case come the window," said Gold. "But we have to treat the issue with great care. There is no guarantee that by spending money you turn things round."
Gold and Sullivan have provided unyielding financial backing to Bruce through his four-year reign though, having overstretched in the summer, Sullivan outlined last month what the implications would be if they spent again next month and failed to stay up.
"We would be in a dire mess financially if we gambled and got relegated - we would go bankrupt," said Birmingham's co-owner.
Sullivan and Gold would be taking a big risk if they made significant money available next month. They might also question the wisdom of letting Bruce, who has a chequered record in the market, spend lavishly again. The manager expended £12 million on the attacking trio of Walter Pandiani, Mikael Forssell and Emile Heskey; an outlay that together with their combined £90,000-a-week wages demands a better return than four Premiership goals between them this season.
Meanwhile, Alex Ferguson will turn to his younger players for tonight's tie. The League and FA Cups look to be United's best chance of silverware this season after a run of six wins in their last seven Premier League games has left them still nine points behind leaders Chelsea.
United goalkeeper Edwin Van Der Sar, defenders Gary Neville and Rio Ferdinand, midfielders Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs and forwards Ruud Van Nistelrooy and Wayne Rooney are likely to be rested.
Ferguson will still have the likes of Ronaldo, Darren Fletcher, John O'Shea, Wes Brown and Keiran Richardson to select from, while Louis Saha, Tim Howard, Park Ji-Sung, Giuseppe Rossi, Gerard Pique and Phil Bardsley could also play.
The League Cup has not previously been a priority for United, however, whose one win in the competition's history is matched by Birmingham, who will be without Nico Vaesen after the goalkeeper was sent off for a second booking on Saturday.
Bruce has recalled Colin Doyle early from a loan spell at Millwall to replace him tonight.
St Andrews, kick-off 7.45 On TV: Sky Sports 1
