Match Preview: Birmingham City v Plymouth Argyle

Birmingham City v Plymouth Argyle

Capital One Cup, 1st Round, Tuesday 6 August at 7.45pm

Plymouth follow their disappointing League Two opener on Saturday with a visit to Championship side Birmingham City in the Capital One Cup first round.

The fixture presents an opportunity for the Pilgrims to test their mettle against a big club, with expectations in check and away from the already intense pressure of the early league season.

Manager John Sheridan will hope that Saturday's defeat at Southend will have focused minds and that an away game at St Andrews will offer the players a chance to raise their game after a shaky start.

“One thing I can guarantee is that it’ll be a better performance on Saturday’s game,” Sheridan told the club's website.

“We trained really well. We trained a lot brighter than we played on Saturday.”

With Birmingham big favourites for the tie, Argyle have nothing much to lose.

Brand new signing Neal Trotman - confirmed on Monday - will replace Paul Wotton in defence. The veteran centre back suffered a broken rib after colliding with a Southend player in Saturday's game.

Jake Cole is expected to replace Luke McCormick in goal as part of the plan to give both players early-season game time before Sheridan decides on his first choice keeper.

For a full match preview, visit the Plymouth Argyle website at www.pafc.co.uk.