Swindon Town Head Coach Ben Garner has given his thoughts ahead of our Carabao Cup First Round clash against Cambridge United.
The Reds open up their 2021-22 EFL Carabao Cup campaign at the Abbey Stadium tonight (7:45pm kick-off), and they will be hoping to build off an incredibly encouraging and impressive performance at Scunthorpe United on Saturday.
It will be a good test against League One opposition, and Town Head Coach Ben Garner sat down with the local media to preview tonight's cup tie.
Garner On Cambridge United
"We're not getting carried away (by Saturday), we know there is still a lot of work to do, it was a fantastic start, hopefully one we can build on, but we're obviously now focussing on Cambridge on Tuesday night.
"The boys were in on Monday, we'll have a little bit of recovery to ease them in and then we'll train, and we'll travel Tuesday morning to Cambridge and be ready for the game.
"It isn't a distraction, it is another game, it is an opportunity and we'll probably make a few changes to the team to give an opportunity to players who need minutes and it will be an opportunity for them to showcase themselves and fight for a shirt in the league team.
"It is a game we're looking forward to and one we want to do well in.
"I think so (when asked if Town will be underdogs on Tuesday). It is well documented we had a short preseason with minimum numbers in the building.
"Cambridge had a fantastic season last year and huge credit to the guys there, so we're certainly underdogs going into the game but that won't faze us.
"We'll prepare thoroughly and look forward to the challenge.
"We watched their league game from Saturday which gave us a bigger indication of how they would play, but I would expect them to make some changes for this game as well."
Garner On Team Selection
"Some of the players that played on Saturday, that was their first 90 minutes because we didn't have one player who completed 90 minutes in preseason.
"Huge credit to the players in doing that and Ben Gladwin only had 45 minutes in preseason and he had a huge performance on Saturday, so we're not going to be silly with these players, we're going to take good care of them but, likewise, we have a few who deserve an opportunity to play and showcase what they can do as well."
Garner On Injuries
"Akin (Odimayo) was in on Sunday, he came and did a session with me for the first time and that was the first day he was allowed in.
"We blew the cobwebs out of him on Sunday and he will come into the group on Monday, so he's back with the group which we're really pleased with because he gives us more strength and depth now in those defensive areas.
"Jordan Lyden actually had COVID as well so he's been off for a period, but he was back in on Monday and I think that has been quite good in that it has allowed the injury to settle down.
"Jordan is in a good place, I had a chat with him on the phone on Sunday and we're of the same mindset - we want him to come back completely happy with his body, but also his mind so that he can play football with freedom and not be thinking about the injuries or any tightness in his body.
"That will take as long as it takes, that will be working with the medical staff but also listening to Jordan and how he feels.
"We've got two or three other players to assess on Monday to see how they are and we'll go from there, but certainly nothing long-term - they might just need a day or two."