Spotlight on Crewe as Manchester Utd come to town

LONDON, Oct 23 (Reuters) Crewe Alexandra will get a rare 90 minutes in the limelight when the third division club host Manchester United in the League Cup third round this week.

Crewe, managed by the respected Dario Gradi for 23 years, have been yo-yoing between second and third division football in recent years and are better-known as a breeding ground for young talent.

On Wednesday, though, the Railwaymen will play against the holders in the hope of springing a cup upset.

United manager Alex Ferguson will almost certainly field a second-string side, handing his youngsters a chance to shine in front of a sell-out crowd at Gresty Road.

Other clubs hoping for a giant-killing act will be fourth division Milton Keynes Dons, who host Tottenham Hotspur at the 8,800-capacity National Hockey Stadium on Wednesday, and third division Chesterfield at home to struggling West Ham United on Tuesday.

Spurs were knocked out last season by fourth division Grimsby Town.

West Ham have lost their last seven games without scoring and are toiling in the Premier League relegation zone.

Champions Chelsea, who won the League Cup in 2005, are likely to field a strong side at Blackburn Rovers on Wednesday.

RARE OUTINGS England midfielder Joe Cole is set to start as he seeks match practice after a long injury absence.

Winger Shaun Wright-Phillips, defender Geremi and striker Salomon Kalou could also get rare outings.

Italian Carlo Cudicini, knocked unconscious at Reading on October 14, may return in goal.

Blackburn manager Mark Hughes must juggle tighter resources which are already being stretched by a promising UEFA Cup campaign.

The draw produced three other all-Premier League ties, with Liverpool hosting Reading, Charlton Athletic at home to Bolton and Newcastle United entertaining Portsmouth, all on Wednesday.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, like Ferguson, believes the competition is one for blooding promising young players and is poised to make several changes for Tuesday's visit to West Bromwich Albion.

Teenage forward Theo Walcott, who came on as a substitute in yesterday's 4-0 rout of Reading, may start.

The final in Cardiff on Feb. 25 is worth a UEFA Cup place to the winners.

Reuters PM VP0922