It's Carabao Cup action tonight for Rotherham United at Stoke City ... but part of manager Matt Taylor's mind is elsewhere

ROTHERHAM United go into Carabao Cup battle against Stoke City tonight with manager Matt Taylor already looking ahead to league matters at the weekend.

The Millers would like to see off their fellow Championship side in the second-round tie but know the forthcoming second-tier visit of high-flying Norwich City is a much more important contest.

Taylor's options are limited by a long injury list but he will rest as many of his main men as possible at the bet365 Stadium.

"I have to find a sensible way of picking the right team, with no disrespect to the competition or the opposition, because Saturday is huge for us," he said.

Rotherham have one point from four matches and are in 21st spot after last weekend's narrow loss to leaders Leicester City.

"We have to keep playing like we did in that match and keep taking games on," said Taylor.

In a fine team performance against the Foxes, centre-half pairing Cameron Humphreys and Tyler Blackett impressed and the boss is considering leaving them out to protect them from the risk of injury this evening.

"Do I look after them and make sure they're fit for Saturday?" he mused. "Their availability is going to be key in our league campaign."

The Millers are low on midfielders as Ben Wiles has been sold, Jamie Lindsay and Hakeem Odoffin have been in the treatment room and new boy Christ Tiehi came off with cramp in the Leicester clash

"My biggest concern is getting a fit midfield to face Stoke," Taylor said.

Winger Arvin Appiah, who became the club's 11th summer signing late last week, might make his first start tonight.

It's a quick return to Staffordshire for Rotherham who lost 4-1 against the Potters on August 5 league opening day.