Southampton draw West Ham at home in Carabao Cup second round | OneFootball

Southampton will host West Ham in the Carabao Cup second round, a tie that pairs two Championship promotion rivals at St Mary's.

According to Sainstmarching.com, no date is confirmed, with Tuesday 25 or Wednesday possible once television selections are made.

Saints reached round two by beating Colchester 2-0, Cyle Larin scoring off the bench before Romeo Akachukwu struck in stoppage time for his first senior goal.

West Ham are no ordinary round-two opponents, having also dropped into the Championship yet retaining top-flight quality.

They advanced by beating Portsmouth 3-1 in round one. Even rotated, the Hammers have bite, so Eckert cannot treat this lightly.

Promotion is the priority. With a Sky Sports lunchtime opener at Vicarage Road on Sunday, heavy cup rotation is likely.

Larin is the forward Eckert will want to protect. Divin Mubama is reportedly close to a loan from Manchester City and could feature if it lands, while Akachukwu and academy prospects push for minutes.

In goal, Eckert sticks with a senior option, Daniel Peretz or George Long.

A home run would lift spirits with a four-point deduction still to claw back. Beat a promotion rival and belief will grow.

Source: Sainstmarching.com

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