Next Up: Exeter City vs Reading – EFL Trophy

City’s injury-ravaged side returned to winning ways – and the top of the League One table – with a hard-fought 1-0 win over winless Cheltenham on Saturday, and attention now turns to the EFL Trophy. Gary Caldwell has stated he will rotate as much as the competition’s rules allow, so expect to see a number of fringe players and youngsters involved, such as Pedro Borges, Jake Richards and Mitch Beardmore. City’s new signings made an impact on Saturday and the man who got the winner off the bench on his début, Caleb Watts, may get a chance to impress from the start.

Reading, whose off-field woes have continued to the extent they were deducted a further three points last week, have been strong at home but weak on their travels so far this season. Like Caldwell, Ruben Selles will use this fixture as an opportunity to shuffle his pack following a thrilling 2-1 win over Bolton on Saturday. He will be concerned about his side’s league form on their travels, although their previous cup fixture away from home saw them thump Millwall 4-0 in the EFL Cup. This fixture marks Reading’s first in this competition since they were previously in the third tier, although their Academy side did participate in the competition in the first two seasons following the entry of Academy sides.

Reading will be returning to familiar surroundings having made the trip less than a month ago in the league, where City emerged 2-1 winners thanks to an injury time winner from Reece Cole – Will Aimson had given City a first half lead only for Harvey Knibbs to equalise on the stroke of half time. Tuesday’s fixture represents the first time the sides have been drawn together in a cup competition.

The match officials for the game will be:-

Referee: Carl Brook
Assistant Referees: Kevin Morris and Daniel Flynn
Fourth Official : Craig Scriven

Carl Brook last refereed Exeter at the end of last season when Exeter beat Morecambe 3-2 at the Park with Jay Stansfield netting a hat-trick.

Ticket news https://www.exetercityfc.co.uk/news/2023/september/reading-tickets/

Pre-match interview with Pedro Borges