Kirk Broadfoot planning to keep Berbatov quiet

The 28-year-old is expected to be in Michael Appleton’s side at Craven Cottage and the defender is hoping to test himself against Dimitar Berbatov once again. The ex-Rangers centre-back has featured in the Champions League during his time in Glasgow – and kept Berbatov quiet when the Ibrox side welcomed Manchester United to Govan in 2010 – but appearing in the oldest knockout competition in the world is still something to savour for the Scot.

“It’s a big trophy and a competition that I have always watched when I was in Scotland,” he said. “I’m really looking forward to it. It’s always good to play against a team like Fulham and to test yourself against some of the best players in the world – and you can definitely say that about the likes of Berbatov. He’s definitely up there.

“We’ll go there looking to do well. It will be a difficult game and obviously Fulham are favourites, but I know the manager will have us well drilled and ready to go.”

Ipswich, another npower Championship club who are travelling to face Premier League opposition, are expected to make wholesale changes to their side for the trip to face Aston Villa.

The Tractor Boys have won five of their last eight games and could give Paul Lambert’s struggling Villa side a scare, but manager Mick McCarthy has admitted he will not be picking a full-strength team.

“I’ll be making changes to the team, some that have been forced on me and some that are through choice,” he said.  “We haven’t been given permission for Hendo (Stephen Henderson) or Bradley (Orr) to play, and of course DJ (Campbell) has gone back (to QPR), so there are three changes I’ll have to make, but I wanted to give a few of the other lads in the squad a game, because I haven’t had the chance to have a proper look at them in a competitive fixture yet.”

Meanwhile, former Livingston and St Mirren defender Scott Cuthbert is confident Leyton Orient can pull off an upset away at Hull.

The Tigers are flying high in the Championship as they aim for a return to the Premier League, but former Scotland Under-21 player Cuthbert believes the Os, who have won nine of their last 11 games in all competitions, will give Steve Bruce’s side a scare at the KC Stadium.

“I think it’s a good game for us, an away tie in a nice stadium with a nice pitch,” said the  Brisbane Road defender.

“They’re flying at the moment and are up towards the top of the Championship, so not many people will expect us to go up there and get a result, but we  expect it.

“We feel that on our day we’re good enough to match anyone, so we’re looking forward to it.”