Coventry travel to Crystal Palace in the midst of an injury crisis that has left Micky Adams digging deep into the club's pool of young talent.
Five teenagers have been added to the squad and it seems as though Rikki Bains could be given the nod to make his first senior start against a £10 million forward line in Clinton Morrison and Jon Macken.
Bains is joined in the squad by fellow teenagers Kevin Thornton, Liam Davis, Jonathan Tuffey and Luke Webb, as Adams tries to patch together a team capable of progressing to the next round of the Carling Cup.
The Coventry boss has an entire back four unavailable with Richard Duffy, Marcus Hall, Richard Shaw, Matt Heath and Stuart Giddings all on the treatment table.
With Willo Flood and Stephen Bywater not able to play, as their respective clubs do not want them cup-tied, Adams has no other options available.
And while the trip to Selhurst Park is a fixture the travel-weary Sky Blues could do without, assistant manager Adrian Heath insists they will be going there in a positive frame of mind.
"We are up against it a bit, but the young lads might be lucky enough to get an opportunity," said Heath.
"It could be a big night for them, but we are down to the bare bones.
"The last thing we needed at this stage was another game, but we aren't going there to throw the tie away.
"Rikki Bains is a big strong boy who can play at right-back or centre half.
"Alan Cork says he has been doing well in the reserves and it could be a big day for him and something he won't forget.
"This could be the start of a promising career for a handful of young players.
"Luke Webb is a lovely footballer like his father (Neil) and very comfortable on the ball.
"Whatever side we put out we want to win, as this is probably the best chance any club has of winning a trophy in our division.
"A lot depends on the side they put out but the fact that these games have to be over on the night adds something to the occasion, as it stops people thinking they might nick a replay."
Heath admitted that Coventry haven't been practising penalties ahead of this tie, as he is convinced they aren't realistic on the training pitch.
"It is a tricky subject because people say you should practise them but, unfortunately, it is difficult to get 20,000 people behind the goal at the training ground. I have seen plenty of top players miss penalties because of pressure. You can't reenact that in training."
