Stevenage boss hopes pre-season experiences against Watford, Leeds and QPR will spur his side on

Graham Westley hopes that pre-season matches against Championship sides will hold his team in good stead ahead of this evening’s Capital One Cup tie against Ipswich Town.

Boro, who lost 4-3 at home to Oldham Athletic in the League 1 opener on Saturday, will be hoping to post their first win of the new football season against Mick McCarthy’s men.

Boro will be without striker Dani Lopez, who is suspended, while midfielder Jimmy Smith and defender Ben Chorley are likely to miss out as both recover from injury.

Speaking ahead of the match, Westley said: “Of course it’ll be a big test. They’re a Championship level side.

“We’ve had Watford and Leeds down here and we know the types of problems those sides bring. They’re not at their level for no reason.

“It’ll be a test, but it’s a great opportunity for us as well. We took a QPR XI on [in pre-season] and we beat them so we showed some of what it takes to perform against sides at that level.”