MATTY Fryatt will be challenged to press his claims for a lead role in this weekend's trip to Manchester City when he is handed a first appearance of the season in tonight's Capital One Cup tie at Leyton Orient.
Hull City boss Steve Bruce will make wholesale changes from the side that earned the first three points of the Premier League season against Norwich on Saturday and place his faith in the depth of his first-team squad to ensure a second round upset is averted in the capital.
Liam Rosenior, Alex Bruce, Paul McShane, Joe Dudgeon and George Boyd are all expected to make their first starts of the season, while the out-of-favour pair Aaron Mclean and Cameron Stewart have been invited in from the cold to travel. Veteran goalkeeper Steve Harper, signed from Newcastle this summer, could be also handed a debut in goal.
The onus will be on Bruce's side promoting their Premier League pedigree this evening, but the greatest chance of all will belong to Fryatt.
With fellow striker Yannick Sagbo suspended for the next three games following his red card for violent conduct at the weekend, the door is open for Fryatt to etch his own name in the side to face Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium this weekend.
"Matty will come into the side and, of course, it's a big chance for him," Bruce told the Mail.
"With Yannick out suspended, Matty's in with a squeak of starting against Manchester City. The door is open for him.
"He can count himself unlucky not to have been involved in the first two games, but I've never dismissed him.
"He's been out for a long time with a bad injury and we've got to be patient with him.
"We've been delighted with how pre-season has gone and the work he's done.
"It's a big call to ask him to play Premier League football, but he's a talented lad who I'd like to see back playing regular football."
With Danny Graham also signalling his desire to feature this evening it may point towards further frustration for Nick Proschwitz, who scored a superb goal when City visited Brisbane Road to win an FA Cup third round replay 2-1 in January.
Tonight's game is at least certain to carry huge significance for Dudgeon.
The 22-year-old has not played a competitive fixture since the 3-2 loss to Blackpool on October 2 of last season and endured an arduous rehabilitation to rectify a historic bone defect in his right knee.
Dudgeon will be another certain starter this evening, much to the delight of Bruce.
"It's a big game for him but it's one he deserves," said the City boss.
"He's had a wonderful attitude throughout all of his injury problems. It must have been an awful time for him. He deserves to stay injury-free now."
City's much-changed side are unlikely to have things all their own way when visiting a Leyton Orient side sitting proudly at the top of League One.
Five wins from five games this season make Russell Slade's men the form team of English football.
If further incentive were needed against Premier League opposition, Orient also felt aggrieved to have been knocked out of the FA Cup by City in January thanks to Tom Cairney's extra-time winner.
"It will be a big game for them and if we're not in the right frame of mind we'll be in for a difficult night," added Bruce.
"They've started the season really well and have a lot of experience in the side. We found out last season that they're a difficult side to beat.
"There's going to be a number of changes to our side but that's not to say we don't want to progress.
"It's an ideal chance for a lot of players who haven't been involved to feature in a competitive game. No matter what side I pick, I expect us to have enough to win."
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