Baraclough to take on United in only third game as caretaker

Scunthorpe caretaker manager Ian Baraclough is relishing the prospect of locking horns with Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

Baraclough will clash with Ferguson when the Iron host United in the third round of the Carling Cup tonight.

The 39-year-old is set to be named as Scunthorpe's permanent manager after being placed in caretaker charge following Nigel Adkins' move to Southampton.

He said: "It will only be my third game as manager and I will be up against Sir Alex who has been involved in more than a thousand games. But I can't wait."

Baraclough sees no reason why his side cannot defeat Ferguson's star-studded team at Glanford Park, adding: "They know they have to do everything right to make sure there is not a shock tomorrow night.

"They know if they play to their ability then nine times out of 10 they will beat us. But they know too that if we perform to our capability - and take our chances - then we can upset them.

"I know we will be the underdogs - and I quite like that tag, but there is absolutely no pressure on us."

Northampton travel to Liverpool crippled by injury but bolstered by the arrival of Newcastle defender Ben Tozer on loan until October 16.

"I am pleased to have got Ben in," said Cobblers boss Ian Sampson.

"He is a player with an excellent pedigree and someone who will do us a good turn over the next few weeks.

"He was really keen to come and already his attitude to get stuck in and do well for the club has impressed me. I tried to bring him in last season but it didn't quite work out then and I am pleased it has now."

Preston travel to neighbours Wigan on the back of four successive defeats in the Championship.

Striker Iain Hume, on loan from Barnsley, admits Darren Ferguson's men are lacking confidence after Norwich won 1-0 at Deepdale on Saturday.

He said: "The atmosphere in the changing room was terrible because we let ourselves down, we are better than that and we will turn it around sooner rather than later.

"You could see the way we were playing that we didn't look like we were full of confidence. I think we just need a win, we just need to go out and put in a good performance.

"It's up to everybody in that changing room to turn it around against Wigan. We've got nothing to lose."