Carlisle United face Championship test in Carabao Cup

Carlisle United have been handed a home tie against Championship side Stoke City in the first round of the Carabao Cup.

The Potters will visit Brunton Park in the first week of the season.

The draw, made this morning, set up the first game at United's ground in the 2024/25 campaign.

It is set to be the first game at the stadium following major summer renovations at Brunton Park.

And it will also mean a reunion for the respective men in the dugouts.

Steven Schumacher, left, played for Carlisle under Paul Simpson in 2003 (Image: Phil Rigby)

Stoke boss Steven Schumacher made his Football League debut back in 2003 for Carlisle whilst on loan from Everton.

His manager at the Blues back then was the man he'll face in August's tie - Paul Simpson.

Stoke finished 17th in the Championship last season while their squad includes former United goalkeeper Jack Bonham.

Former Blues youth product Liam McCarron is also on the Potters' books.

Ex-Blues Jack Bonham and Liam McCarron are both on Stoke's books (Image: PA)

It will be only the fifth ever competitive first-team meeting between United and Stoke, and their first in cup competition (discounting 2018's EFL Trophy encounter between the Blues at Stoke's Under-21s).

Their last meeting was in Division Two in 1986, a 0-0 draw at Stoke's former Victoria Ground. The Brunton Park game that season, on November 9, 1985, was a 3-0 win for the Blues.

Before that the clubs met twice in the 1974/75 First Division season, Carlisle losing 2-0 on home soil and 5-2 away from home.

The tie will be played in the week starting August 12, with details to be confirmed.

The first round draw was made live on Sky Sports by Frank Sinclair and Gary McAllister.

FULL CARABAO CUP FIRST ROUND DRAW

Northern Section

Salford City v Doncaster Rovers

Rotherham United v Crewe Alexandra

Carlisle United v Stoke City

Leeds United v Middlesbrough

Barrow v Port Vale

Burton Albion v Blackpool

Tranmere Rovers v Accrington Stanley

Fleetwood Town v West Bromwich Albion

Shrewsbury Town v Notts County

Lincoln City v Harrogate Town

Derby County v Chesterfield

Bolton Wanderers v Mansfield Town

Preston North End v Sunderland

Sheffield United v Wrexham

Huddersfield Town v Morecambe

Wigan Athletic v Barnsley

Hull City v Sheffield Wednesday

Stockport County v Blackburn Rovers

Grimsby Town v Bradford City

Southern Section

Cambridge United v QPR

Walsall v Exeter City

Crawley Town v Swindon Town

Oxford United v Peterborough United

Norwich City v Stevenage

Bromley v AFC Wimbledon

Portsmouth v Millwall

Northampton Town v Wycombe Wanderers

Bristol City v Coventry City

Cardiff City v Bristol Rovers

Charlton Athletic v Birmingham City

Watford v MK Dons

Swansea City v Gillingham

Plymouth Argyle v Cheltenham Town

Leyton Orient v Newport County

Colchester United v Reading