REDS boss John Coleman will ask for an improved performance from his side against Bradford City tonight in a competition he rates as highly as the FA Cup.

Stuart McCall’s Bantams arrive at the Wham Stadium having drawn their opening League One encounter at home to Port Vale on Saturday.

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While Coleman is pleased Stanley managed a 3-2 win over Doncaster Rovers as they kicked off their campaign, he knows a team from the division above will provide a stern test.

And he expects his players to relish the opportunity of proving themselves against a higher class of opposition.

“I value it (the EFL Cup) as important as the FA Cup,” he said.

“It’s a chance for players to go and pit themselves against teams from higher divisions and I certainly want to win every game we play.

“People saw how disappointed I was when we were losing pre-season friendlies, so it’s a massive game for us and we’ll be treating it like a massive game.

“Obviously they will be looking to get their first win. We haven’t got that monkey on our back. But they finished fifth in a tough league last year, so I’m expecting a tough game.

“I’ve played against Stuart’s sides a couple of times and they’ve always been good games.

“Hopefully we can acquit ourselves better than we did on Saturday. Having said that, I’d take the result any time.”

Saturday’s side featured five new signings, with late arrivals Janoi Donacien and Chris Eagles - off the bench - both involved.

Aaron Chapman was between the sticks and saved a penalty, while Omar Beckles partnered Mark Hughes in defence and Jordan Clark started on the wing, They are all available for tonight’s clash, while John O’Sullivan will also be in contention after agreeing a six-month loan from Blackburn Rovers.

Coleman will be without striker Billy Kee, who he says is ‘a week or so’ away from a return, but he praised Terry Gornell’s toil leading the line against Doncaster.

“It’s a thankless job that Terry has to do,” said the Stanley manager. “He worked his socks off on Saturday.” The Reds’ goals against Rovers came from two midfielders (Rommy Boco and Sean McConville) and a full-back (Matty Pearson) and Coleman was pleased to see them weighing in.

He said: “I hope we can keep it going. Our shooting hasn’t been the best in pre-season and not the best in training.

“So hopefully it will be alright on the night, that was certainly the case with Matty.”