Sheffield United vs. Leicester City
EFL Cup Second Round
Tuesday, 22nd August 2017
@ Bramall Lane - Kick Off: 7:45pm
Live on Sky Sports
Blades boss Chris Wilder may opt to field a strong starting XI, unlike the first round victory over Walsall (3-2). United were victorious at the weekend, beating South Yorkshire rivals Barnsley 1-0, but goal scorer Billy Sharp may be rested ahead of this Saturday's clash at home to Derby County (3pm).
Leon Clarke's suspension from Sheffield United's Carabao Cup encounter with Leicester opens the door for striker Ched Evans to make his first start of the season and first for United since 2012. Blades boss Chris Wilder will not appeal against the red card shown to Clarke following his angry clash with Barnsley's Angus MacDonald in United's 1-0 win at Bramall Lane on Saturday.
Wilder, who is likely to be without midfielder Chris Basham due to a tight groin, has pledged to pick a strong side against 2016 Premier League champions Leicester and Wales forward Evans impressed from the bench in the first round, setting up two goals in a 3-2 victory over Walsall.
Defender Richard Stearman, like Evans a summer signing in S2, is expected to miss the next six to eight weeks with a hamstring injury. George Baldock (foot) and striker James Hanson (thigh) should sit out, too.
Due to the 2015 Premier League Champions involvement in the top flight, Leicester City were handed a bye in the first round of the League Cup competition. Despite pegging back Arsenal in the first Premiership match of the season, the Gunners eventually won 4-3 but the Foxes picked up their first victory of the season last Saturday at home to newly promoted Brighton - goals from Okazaki and Maguire sealed a 2-0 win.
England international Jamie Vardy is fit and available for Leicester's trip to South Yorkshire. The striker gave the Foxes an injury scare at the weekend when he hobbled off with an ankle knock but, despite being sore, there is no serious damage.
Captain Wes Morgan (back) is also nursing an injury following the 2-0 Premier League win against Brighton but, unlike Vardy, he will not be involved in Sheffield. Nampalys Mendy (ankle) is fit again and will be in the squad along with Ahmed Musa.