League Reality Hits Home for Blades

Sheffield United may still be fighting to regain their place in the Premiership, but today the reality of life in the Football League hit home as they were drawn away at Chesterfield in the first round of the Carling Cup.

The Blades remain hopeful of salvaging their top-flight status as the Carlos Tevez saga continues to rumble on. But ahead of Monday's arbitration panel hearing, they have been handed a cup trip to Saltergate.

Elsewhere, a short trip to Rotherham awaits city rivals Sheffield Wednesday, while Charlton will travel to Swindon. Another side relegated from the Premiership, Watford, host Gillingham and West Brom welcome Bournemouth for a place in the second round.

Wolves are at home to Bradford while Martin Allen's first cup game as Leicester boss will be at Accrington Stanley. Southampton travel to League Two side Peterborough, while Leeds must make their first ever trip to Moss Rose to face Macclesfield.

The draw for the first round of the Carling Cup is as follows:

Wolves v Bradford

Grimsby v Burnley

Rochdale v Stoke

Scunthorpe v Hartlepool

Port Vale v Wrexham

Crewe v Hull

Chester v Nottm Forest

Sheff Utd v Chesterfield

Rotherham v Sheff Wed

Barnsley v Darlington

Bury v Carlisle

Doncaster v Lincoln

Preston v Morecambe

Stockport v Tranmere

Accrington Stanley v Leicester

Macclesfield v Leeds

Oldham v Mansfield

Blackpool v Huddersfield

Watford v Gillingham

Swindon v Charlton

Milton Keynes Dons v Ipswich

Southend v Cheltenham

Norwich v Barnet

Shrewsbury v Colchester

Cardiff v Brighton

Swansea v Walsall

Brentford v Bristol City

Bristol Rovers v Crystal Palace

West Brom v Bournemouth

Peterborough v Southampton

Hereford v Yeovil

QPR v Leyton Orient

Northampton v Millwall

Dagenham & Redbridge v Luton

Plymouth v Wycombe

Coventry v Notts County

Ties to be played week commencing August 13.