Grimsby Town face Premier League opposition this evening
The Mariners welcome Nottingham Forest to Blundell Park in the League Cup
Last updated 23rd Aug 2022
Grimsby Town go in search of League Cup glory this evening.
The Mariners will be expecting to face a strong Nottingham Forest team tonight after their opponents said they wanted to avoid an upset at Blundell Park.
Town boss Paul Hurst hopes his players won't be overawed by the occasion:
"As much as they can treat it as what it is - a game of football. Just against higher opposition and probably realistically better players.
"But we want to be competitive and we want everyone involved to enjoy the night as much as possible".
Meanwhile Grimsby's summer signing Danilo Orsi is hoping to make his first appearance for the club in their Carabao Cup tie against Nottingham Forest.
Former Harrogate striker Orsi sustained a groin injury in pre-season after joining the Mariners and has yet to feature for Paul Hurst's side.
Otherwise, Hurst will choose from an unchanged squad with no new injuries after Saturday's goalless home draw against Sutton.
Niall Maher, Otis Khan and Edwin Essel are making progress in their recoveries from injury but will not feature, while John McAtee (shoulder) is a long-term absentee.
Forest are still without injured pair Omar Richards and Moussa Niakhate, while Jack Colback is working his way back from illness.
Richards, a summer signing from Bayern Munich, sustained a hairline leg fracture during pre-season, while centre-back Niakhate (thigh) was withdrawn from the recent home win against West Ham.
Defender Ryan Yates could return to the starting line-up. He stepped off the bench in Saturday's 1-1 draw at Everton after recovering from a knee problem.
Boss Steve Cooper is expected to make plenty of other changes ahead of a busy Premier League schedule.