Allardyce to stick with reserve plan for Bury tie

Sam Allardyce, the Bolton Wanderers manager, has defended his decision to field an under-strength team in last season's Worthington Cup quarter-final and has promised to do the same again in tonight's home tie with Bury as the remainder of the second round games are played.

"It was only the London yobbos who criticised us," Allardyce said about the quarter-final at Tottenham last season when he rested key players. "Arsène Wenger, Claudio Ranieri and Glenn Hoddle could do the same but it was all right for them. But some North-West club does it and it's a disgrace.

"The proof of the pudding was in the eating. We stayed up at the end of the season for the first time in 25 years. So we stuffed it all up them – and we will do the same this season. We will not be devaluing the competition. The likes of Jay-Jay Okocha, Stig Tofting, Akin Bulent and even Kevin Nolan could play [in tonight's match]. It will still be a hell of a side that we are picking."

The Leicester City manager, Micky Adams, had little time to bask in a successful September before having to work out how to cope with the absence of up to seven first-team regulars for the trip to Sheffield Wednesday tonight.

Leicester are without the striker Paul Dickov and the defender Frank Sinclair through suspension while the defender Gerry Taggart picked up a groin strain in the win over Wolverhampton Wanderers at the weekend. His fellow defender Matt Elliott may be ruled out, while the striker Brian Deane (groin) and the midfielders Nicky Summerbee (illness) and Billy McKinlay (groin) are all out.

Sheffield Wednesday, who won the Cup in 1991 and reached the semi-final last season, have the striker Gerald Sibon ready to return after the Dutchman was rested for the league defeat to Walsall at the weekend. Their manager, Terry Yorath, must do without the midfielder Paul McLaren, however, as he has a groin strain.

Iain Dowie, the Second Division Manager of the Month, insists his Oldham side will go on the attack in their match against Derby County at Pride Park. The Latics manager picked up his award after guiding his team to six wins from six games in September.

"It's a one-off and we're going to play an attacking game. It'll be an indication to myself and my players of how far we've come," Dowie said.

The defender David Beharall missed the 4-0 win over Huddersfield on Saturday after sustaining a knock in training, and while the injury is not serious, he may struggle to be ready.

Derby's young striker Izale McLeod may be handed another first-team opportunity. The 17-year-old made his full debut in the 1-0 win over Ipswich Town and is likely to start against the Latics as Fabrizio Ravanelli (Achilles), Branko Strupar (knee), Deon Burton (foot) and Marvin Robinson (hamstring) are still out.

Coventry City look likely to be without the midfielders John Eustace and Youssef Chippo for the match at home to Third Division Rushden & Diamonds. Chippo strained a leg muscle in the 3-2 defeat at home to Millwall on Saturday and Eustace missed the game with an ankle injury. The player-manager, Gary McAllister, could play as he has responded well to treatment since the Millwall game.