City have been handed a home tie with Notts County in the Carling Cup first round.

The game will take place on Wednesday, August 25, the night after Leeds host Huddersfield in a West Yorkshire derby.

City crashed out at the opening hurdle at Valley Parade against basement opposition last season when Darlington won on penalties. And Colin Todd is well aware of the club's awful recent cup form.

He said: "The cup has been very poor for the club and the supporters and that's something we would hope to put right.

"Obviously it's also very important from a revenue point of view that we can have a bit of a run and being drawn at home is a good start.

"Once the season starts it will come round quickly and we've got to make sure we can progress to the next round."

City will field at least three new faces at Harrogate tomorrow night.

Former Everton duo Steven Schumacher and Michael Symes and released Manchester City goalkeeper Kieran Westwood will all get a game while on trial.

Twenty-year-old midfielder Schumacher has played for England at under-16 level. Striker Symes never appeared in the first team at Goodison but played four times on loan at Crewe last season, scoring once.

Westwood, 19, will play in goal, although a senior keeper remains high on Todd's list of priorities. The remaining players, like the rest of the staff, have agreed to carry on deferring wages until July 16. And Todd has been impressed with the attitude shown on the training ground.

He said: "The response from the boys has been good, they've really set their stall out with the hard work that's being put in. Fitness levels are such an important factor and they are doing well."