Despite their progress to the last eight of the West Riding County Cup and landing the quarter-final draw everyone wanted, at home to Halifax Town, Bradford boss Trevor Storton is urging a change in the rules.

Avenue played most of their regulars in the 5-1 second-round victory at near-neighbours Liversedge but Storton is looking to get the qualification criteria relaxed.

"I think the County FA should have a think about it, players have to have played a certain number of first-team games before they are eligible," said the Avenue manager.

"It's not just that competition that applies restrictions, you can be accused of fielding a weakened team in the internal UniBond knockouts. It is not a lack of respect for the competitions that make you want to bring in players on the fringe for games like these.

"If you have good prospects in the squad why should they not be considered? It must be better to introduce new players or young lads to the first team in that type of environment than a high-pressure UniBond Premier League fixture.

"How would Manchester United and Arsenal cope if they weren't allowed to blood their youngsters in the League Cup? It's not through lack of respect that they want to do it, it's necessity.

"Some of their players make their first-team debuts in the Champions League and we all know how much they crave that prize and what financial rewards are on offer for qualifying from the group stages.

"Players playing in the top European competition before they have taken their bow in the Premiership. Should UEFA stop that happening? Make a ruling that only players who have made a certain number of first-team appearances are eligible?"

The questions Storton, who has made substitute appearances in the top European competitions in his days as an up-and-coming young player with Liverpool, raises are pertinent and taken in context need answering.

"We have James Alderson the young keeper and James Russell a forward we like but need to have a longer look at in first-team situations. There are also a couple of others such as Paul Helliwell, who made his first start last Saturday after being involved a few times on the bench.

"The best way to give them games is to bring them in for the County Cup and the UniBond Cups. They are all eligible now but the problem will rear its head again, if not this season then the next. It would help if the authorities recognised the difficulties and weren't so concerned about club's, allegedly, taking their competitions lightly."