Megson sets his sights on cup glory

9:30am Tuesday 26th August 2008

WANDERERS will be gunning for glory with Gary Megson set to name a strong side for tonight’s Carling Cup second-round clash with Northampton Town.

The Bolton manager admits he is still haunted by last year’s European adventure as he prepares for the visit of the League One club.

Megson was forced to field a weakened team in the UEFA Cup last season as Wanderers battled for their Premier League lives at home.

And the Reebok boss insists he will not be holding back in the knockout competitions this time around.

“We want to try and win the Carling Cup and the FA Cup, and to be able to do that we must put out our strongest team,” said Megson, whose understrength side was dumped out of the UEFA Cup by Sporting Lisbon at the last-16 stage.

“It broke my heart last year to do some of the things I was doing.

“It really went against the grain what we had to do in Europe because of the perilous position we were in the Premiership, so we were changing it. We weren’t trying to get ourselves knocked out of the FA Cup or Carling Cup or UEFA Cup, but we could’ve picked stronger teams.

“This season we are in a position where we can go all out for it in the cup competitions.”

Megson looks certain to make some changes for Northampton though, with striker Johan Elmander (hamstring) and midfielder Matty Taylor (toe) both doubts after picking up injuries in Saturday’s 1-0 defeat at Newcastle.

New signings Riga and Danny Shittu are also expected to make their debuts.