Paul Simpson says he is determined that Carlisle United earn the maximum financial rewards from the EFL Trophy.

The Blues face Accrington Stanley in their first group game tonight (Wham Stadium, 7.45pm).

And while Simpson will make changes to his side, he says he will still name a strong XI in the hope of victory – and helpful prize money – against John Coleman’s League Two side.

“It’s going to be tough,” he said.

“I’ve been at Accrington when they’ve been in the Conference, I’ve been to Accrington in League Two, I’ve watched them in League One, and it’s never an easy place to go to.

“John will have them fired up. They’ll look at it as an opportunity to make some money, and we’ve got to look at it that way – that’s what I want us to do.

“We’ve got to go and put on a performance that earns the club some money, getting a result.”

Carlisle can earn £10,000 with victory tonight in a competition that remains unpopular with some fans over its involvement of Premier League academy teams.

News and Star: Accrington Stanley boss John ColemanAccrington Stanley boss John Coleman (Image: PA)

Striker Joshua Kayode is set to be involved for Carlisle for the first time since his deadline-day loan move from Rotherham United.

Others hoping for involvement include the likes of Ryan Edmondson, Jayden Harris, Jack Ellis, Ben Barclay and Dan Butterworth.

Simpson said he will not totally rip up Saturday’s team, and added: “I certainly want continuity, because I want to get on a run of results.

“I need to see how everyone is. There’s been some tired bodies, and tired heads [from Saturday], which I would expect.

“There will be some changes. I’m hoping not to make wholesale changes but I want to make some to keep everybody involved, keep everybody up to speed.

“The whole idea of having the two [reserve] games over the last fortnight was to get players not starting first-team games up to speed.

“It would be wrong of us to throw them into a game at Accrington and expect them to be up to speed without us giving them the opportunity.

“They’re all ready. Some of them got back into the group [on Saturday] to give them a bit of a lift, and hopefully I’ll pick the right group to get a win because that’s what’s important as this competition.”

United and Accrington are joined by Harrogate Town and Nottingham Forest's Under-21s in northern Group C of the trophy, which does not currently have a sponsor.