Allen continued his unwanted record of never having won a game in the competition but made nine changes from the side which drew 3-3 at Brighton on Saturday as he took the chance to look at his transfer-listed and fringe players.

"I knew they would play a strong team and I wanted to overload the central midfield area," said Allen. "But most of all I wanted them to go out and enjoy it, and we could have done better in the final third.

"They all acquitted themselves well and I am going to need all the players in the squad to be ready. Some of them are on the list but they have all trained ever so hard and the whole squad is capable of coming in and doing well.

"It is the first time I have seen some of them play and there are a lot of bonuses for me.

"Lewis Montrose was terrific in central midfield, while the goalkeeper Scott Brown was outstanding and Paul Connor did well at centre-forward on his own bringing people into play. The scoreline was disappointing but all round it has been a good night."