Keane promotes young midfielders Jack Colback and Jordan Henderson from the reserves squad, but stressed that there are more senior players who are likely to beat them into the starting 11, or even onto the bench.

The Black Cats boss will open the door to the likes of Liam Miller, Dwight Yorke (pictured), Phil Bardsley, Danny Collins, David Healy, Andy Reid and Carlos Edwards, insisting that places are up for grabs for Saturday's visit to Aston Villa.

Hungarian goalkeeper Marton Fulop looks set to get the first team start he craves in place of Craig Gordon.

Michael Chopra and Daryl Murphy have recovered from knocks they suffered in Saturday's 2-0 home win over Middlesbrough and they have a chance of leading the line together.

Keane said: "There is no way we will be disrespecting the opposition tonight, but I will be using my squad a bit more.

"I have lads who need games and have been training well.

"We have to try to be fair to everyone. The likes of Liam Miller, Yorkie, Carlos, Reidy possibly needs a game, Phil Bardsley is keen to play.

"Jordan and Jack will be in the squad and that will be good experience for them, but they might have to be a bit more patient."

Keane is forced into at least two changes with Teemu Tainio (shoulder) injured and George McCartney cup-tied.

The manager said Djibril Cisse is likely to be rested, but he may keep Anton Ferdinand and Nyron Nosworthy together in central defence.

Though he didn't name his team, there sounds every chance that Bardsley will get a start at right-back with Collins at left-back.

Having come unstuck in this competition at another League One side, Luton, last season, Keane does not want to see the same outcome this evening.

He said: "Making changes backfired at Luton last season, but the players I might look to bring in are better in terms of experience at least and I'll be picking a team focussed on winning a game and if they do well they'll have a chance for Villa."

Keane is absolutely focused on reaching the last 16 of a competition which offers Premier League clubs outside the top four, the best chance of silverware.

He said: "There's been evidence over the years that this competition can be great for clubs and with the home draw we've got to see ourselves in the hat for the next round.

"A lot of decent teams were knocked out in the last round and they would love to be in our shoes and in the third round so we have to make the most of it.

"There's still a very long way to go in the competition. Some of the
big boys have joined at this round and we'll hopefully have to come up against them later down the line, but that will be harder again.

"A good cup run creates a buzz around a football club. There have been arguments for and against this competition over the years, but the big plus for me is just being in the next round.

"Winning football games is always a plus and we managed to get through a tough game in the last round at Nottingham Forest.

"The defeat at Luton last season still sticks in my throat, as does losing to Wigan in the FA Cup. One of my biggest disappointments at the club has been our cup performances, so there needs to be an improvement. We want to win as many games as possible. We want to win every game, whether it's Middlesbrough or Northampton, and I have a big squad of players to use.

"There's always a nice reaction when you win a game of football – there's certainly a buzz around the place after Saturday's result and it helped because it was a cracking game. But we have to be focused on tonight now.

"We have to forget about the Aston Villa match this Saturday and concentrate only on Northampton. We've got to give them the respect they deserve."