After taking over from Neil Harris in January, Mick McCarthy supervised an upturn in fortunes that at one stage looked as though it might produce an unexpected play-off place, although the Bluebirds ultimately finished in 8th place, and they began this season’s campaign on Saturday with a 1-1 draw against last season’s beaten play-off semi-finalists Barnsley.

Cardiff’s recent EFL Cup history is not that distinguished, and last season they were a victim of a first round shock when they lost 3-0 at Northampton, then in League One but relegated at the end of the season. Indeed you have to go back four years for their last victory in the competition, when they beat Portsmouth 2-1 after extra time in the first round before going out at home to Burton.

Their best season in the competition was in 2011-12, when they reached the final and took Liverpool all the way to penalties at Wembley, losing the shootout 3-2. The shootout was forced by a 118th minute equaliser from Ben Turner, who has faced U’s in recent seasons as part of Notts County’s defence.

Also making its debut on Tuesday will be Sutton’s new third choice kit of all black with amber trim, with the names of all the supporters who made a financial contribution to the club last season in the form of season tickets, United We Stand contributions and other sponsorship.

Manager Matt Gray has no new injury worries after Saturday’s unfortunate defeat at Forest Green, with Will Randall continuing his recovery from a hamstring injury and Tobi Sho-Silva back in training.

Should tomorrow’s game, which kicks off at 7pm, be drawn at the end of 90 minutes it will go straight to penalties with no extra time, with the second round scheduled to be played in a fortnight’s time.

Tickets are still on sale from the club shop at Sutton between 7pm and 8.30pm on Monday evening, priced as follows: Adult £12; Over-60s £10; 16-21 year olds £10; Under 16s £5. Sutton season ticket holders receive a £2 discount on those prices. 

Admission is available on the gate on Tuesday, cash only, from Gate 12. Prices then are £15, £12 and £8 respectively. The ground is in Leckwith Road, postcode CF11 8AZ, south west of the city centre. The closest station is Grangetown, reached with a change at Cardiff Central which is served by a half hourly service from Paddington. It is not possible to return by train the same evening.

If you’re not making the trip you can listen to SUFCtv’s commentary of the game through the iFollow tab here, price £2.50 although you can also buy a monthly pass for £4.49 or a season’s pass for £45.