Wycombe Wanderers have axed keeper Ricardo Batista from their side which will attempt to dump Premiership Fulham out of the Carling Cup tomorrow night – out of courtesy to their Premiership hosts.
Fulham loaned the Portuguese U21 international to Wanderers this season and, as a gesture of appreciation, Blues will leave the glovesman out of their line up as they attempt to spring a cup shock at Craven Cottage (ko 7.45pm).
Cottagers boss Chris Coleman did not issue any request to Wycombe to leave him out but the Blues took the decision themselves to maintain good links with Fulham.
Boss Paul Lambert said: “I won’t be playing Ricardo at Fulham. We’re doing it out of courtesy. They were really good letting him come here and I wouldn’t do that to them.”
James Young will step into his shoes instead.
Batista, who kept his fifth clean sheet of the season as Wanderers went top of League Two with a 2-0 win at Rochdale on Saturday, said: “I would have liked to have played but I understand why I won’t be.”
But that is where the favours will stop.
Wanderers travel to Craven Cottage confident they can cause an upset against a Fulham side who drew 0-0 at Spurs on Sunday and who entertain Chelsea on Saturday.
Wideman Kevin Betsy is detemined to give it a real go against his old club.
He played for Fulham when they were managed by Kevin Keegan under Coleman’s captaincy and this is his first time back at the Cottage.
He said: “It’s going to be a big night for me. I’m looking forward to seeing Chris Coleman again. He is a tremendous human being but I would love to put one over him.
“We think we can create an upset. We will go into the game with a lot of confidence and enjoy the night.”
Blues are without on-loan Scott Golbourne after his club Reading refused him permission to play, but on-loan midfielder Tommy Doherty is available following his arrival from QPR while Anthony Grant is back from suspension.
Lambert said: “Let’s be realistic. They are a Premiership club with a terrific manager and it is going to be really tough but in a one-off game you never know.
“Our lads will go there on the back of seven straight league and cup wins. There is no pressure on us.”
