Mmmm, the cup winners at home and a chance to shine. Pity it’s only the Johnstone’s Paint Pot Trophy, but tonight’s clash with Swansea City still carries a certain amount of glamour and gives a chance to pit ourselves against a team from a higher Division.

The rules of the competition have been changed this season and now say that teams have to have the majority (six) of the starting line-up taken from those players who have been used most regularly so far this season. That means that we will not be seeing the wholesale changes we have in the past, but managers will still, like as not, rest as many as possible.

For the Saddlers, Bossu should be available following his back spasms on Saturday, but Westwood (thigh), Roper (ankle) and Picken (knee) won’t be featuring, but the likes of Mark Kinsella, Carlos Fangueiro, James Constable and Ishmel Demontagnac will all be hoping for a spot in the squad, as will the recovering Darren Wrack and Alex Nicholls. In fact, I would suspect that Butler and Sam are amongst the most likely to be rested and Constable and Nicholls may well get a start.

Swansea have been having a few injury problems this season and only welcomed back talisman Lee Trundle on Saturday. Trundle has been missing after suffering knee and hamstring injuries, but he still managed two goals on his return on Saturday.

Kevin Austin has a hamstring problem and is likely to miss out and Adebayo Akinfenwa is also missing.

Kristian O’Leary may be back tonight after a medium term injury, while Kevin Amankwaah and Owain Tudor Jones may get some match practice following injuries.

One former Saddler might well be with us tonight, as Andy Oakes may well get a chance in goal

One question that remains unanswered about our opponents, however, is whether Leon Knight is likely to play. He was, remember, a surprise buy from Brighton last season, after he appeared to have fallen out with Mark McGhee. He has now suddenly been transfer listed by Swansea, after seemingly falling out with Kenny Jackett. A pattern is emerging.

Predictions? Near impossibility, given the uncertainty surrounding the line-ups, even given the new rules.

Swansea have won three of their seven away League games to date and go into the game 8th in League One, just two points off third place, while the Saddlers, of course, have the perfect home league record of seven wins and no goals conceded.

I just fancy us to sneak this.

REMEMBER: In another rule change, if the scores are level after 90 minutes, the tie will go straight to penalties.