Cobblers boss Chris Hogg is hoping to see more positive progress from his team - regardless of the result -in today’s Carabao Cup curtain-raiser against Leicester City at the King Power Stadium.

Town, who have a poor recent record in the competition, would have to pull off a significant upset to avoid another first round exit. Although Leicester have suffered back-to-back relegations, they are strong favourites to win League One, and their pulling power in the transfer market has again been highlighted this week by the additions of Wes Burns and Tommy Watson.

"Leicester are a really good team with really good players,” said Hogg. “I have a lot of respect for Russell Martin and they've obviously got sharper and slicker since we played them at the start of pre-season. They’re changing their group and some of the players they are signing are very good players for that level so it’ll be a big challenge.

"A lot of stuff will be similar to what we've faced in pre-season, which is good for us, but there are other bits where we might have to make a few tweaks. Their style of play is a unique style and it’s a good style and it’ll be a good challenge for us.

"I always turn it back to us and I just want to see progress. Leicester will be Leicester. I want us to try and problem solve and give a good account of ourselves, with and without the ball, and play with courage and belief wherever we can.

"We're going to have use the ball well, we will have to communicate well and we will have to do all the nitty gritty bits of football, but all I want to see is a team that goes out there with a real belief. I just want us to have a right good go.”