Bryan Robson will make changes to his West Bromwich Albion line-up for the Carling Cup tie at home to Bradford City tonight, but it will be to maintain his policy of squad rotation rather than play a weakened team.

Many Premiership clubs, particularly those who play in European competition, use virtual reserve teams for Carling Cup ties but Robson has vowed to treat the competition with the respect he feels it deserves.

Besides, he feels that Albion have a realistic chance of winning the trophy in Cardiff in February.

Albion may be two divisions above Bradford City but Robson, who managed the club until the summer of 2004, is leaving nothing to chance.

The former England captain, whose side grabbed a late draw at Sunderland on Saturday, is without Zoltan Gera, Geoff Horsfield and Nwankwo Kanu but still has a strong squad from which to choose.

"I will make a few changes to the side but it doesn't mean that I am underestimating Bradford or dismissing the competition," Robson said.

"Our priority at this club is to remain in the Premiership but a cup run is good for players' confidence. You also have to entertain your fans and

that is what I expect. There will be a few new faces in the side compared to the team at Sunderland last Saturday.

"But there will not be too many changes because I want a good performance coming off the back of what I didn't think was a good result at Sunderland but what I thought was the best we had passed the ball this season.

"Kevin Campbell led the line well at Sunderland and Robert Earnshaw was really sharp. He had a couple of half-chances. I thought Nathan Ellington and Diomansy Kamara, when they came on, did quite well.

"Whoever I play up front it gives them an opportunity to score some goals against lower opposition.

"It doesn't mean that it will be an easy game but the opportunity will be there to score some goals. That is what I am after."

Robson is looking forward to locking horns with his old club and he added: " Coincidences in football always seem to happen.

"My first game as Albion's manager was against Middlesbrough and now my first cup match is against Bradford.

"There are still a few players there who played under me. They are good professionals.

"Colin Todd has done a good job stabilising the club and they will be well organised."

Robson could not save Bradford from relegation when he was in charge but he saw his move to Valley Parade was important because it helped him to revive his career.

"It was great to get back into the game to train with players," Robson said. "There were some really good professionals at Bradford.

"The only frustrating part was when they went into administration.

"I lost half the team and that became frustrating. It was another learning curve where you experience things in the game.

"I didn't spend any money at Bradford. When I brought in the loan players we had a really good run but for whatever reason the chairman at the time decided not to put any more money into the club.

""The loan players had to go back and the best two young players, Andy Gray and Simon Francis were sold to Sheffield United. It made it very difficult.

"I remember we beat Rotherham 2-1 away from home and on the Sunday morning I got the telephone call saying the club were going into administration. A lot of people at the time said to me that I hadn't gone into the job in those circumstances so why didn't I leave?

"But you get attached to the players who are working their socks off for you.

"Plus all the players were deferring their wages. So that is why I stuck with hoping that we could get out of it despite losing half the team.

"It is very difficult to walk away from players who were trying their hardest to keep the club alive. That is why I remained at Bradford."

Gera will have a minor operation on a hand injury but will be fit for the match at home to Charlton Athletic on Saturday.