Morecambe vs Stoke City: Carabao Cup Preview, Round 1, 2022

Morecambe have begun their League One campaign with a 0-0 draw against Shrewsbury Town and a 3-0 loss at Peterborough United, so will be hoping for a change in fortunes on Tuesday.

They reached the second round of the Carabao Cup in 2021/22, crashing out with a 4-2 loss to Preston North End.

Stoke City suffered a 2-0 loss to Millwall on the opening day but bounced back with a 2-0 win against Blackpool last weekend with goals from Harry Clarke and Jacob Brown.

The Potters got to the fourth round of this cup last season, with their run eventually culminating in a 2-1 home defeat to Brentford.

Team news

Morecambe

Derek Adams has no new injury concerns to contend with ahead of this cup clash.

Stoke

Josh Tymon (ankle) and Ben Wilmot (heel) picked up knocks against Blackpool and will both be assessed before the trip to Lancashire.

The Potters remain without long-term absentees Nick Powell and Harry Souttar with knee and ACL injuries respectively.

Likely lineups

Morecambe

Smith; O'Connor, Delaney, Rawson; McLaughlin, Watts, Taylor, Weir, Melbourne; Obika, Connolly.

Stoke

Bonham; Fox, Jagielka, Taylor; Sparrow, Kilkenny, Clucas, Thompson, McCarron; Wright-Phillips, Campbell.

Ones to watch

Caleb Watts

Watts joined the Shrimps on loan from Southampton in the summer and is highly-regarded at the Saints as one of their latest, brightest youth academy products.

The 20-year-old central midfielder made three Premier League appearances in 2020/21, but struggled with injuries on loan at Crawley Town last season in League Two. He is an Australian youth international and has made eight appearances for their U23 side since debuting last year.

D'Margio Wright-Phillips

Also 20, Wright-Phillips broke onto the first-team scene with the Potters last season with some eye-catching performances as well as a goal in a 3-2 home defeat to Fulham in January.

With a name that will ring bells in English football, the young winger will be hoping to get his second professional season off to a good start and force himself into Michael O'Neill's plans with a good performance here.