Mick McCarthy believes the size of Wolves’ squad compared to their Barclays Premier League rivals could hamper their Carling Cup campaign.

Having received a bye in the first round, Wolves welcome Coca-Cola League One side Swindon to Molineux tonight as they bid to reach the third round of the League Cup for the first time in six years.

McCarthy admits Premier League points hold priority this season as the Black Country outfit look to secure their top-flight status following promotion.

But that does not mean he is going to treat the competition lightly.

Asked whether Wolves can be at Wembley for the final on February 28, he said: “Yes, but I look at Tottenham’s squad and at Manchester City’s squad and, if they were to rotate and play some other players, I think you might find they’re still playing a stronger squad than most of the others.

“So it’s going to be difficult for us.

“Everybody reckons, and it’s accepted, that you’re going to have to have two squads of players.

“Tottenham, Man City, Man United, Chelsea – they’ve all got bigger and better squads.

“Without a doubt, points in the Premier League are paramount for us.”

McCarthy will himself be rotating his starting XI for the visit of the Robins having admitted three Premier League games in the space of a week have taken their toll.

But he is not prepared to throw in the mix of reserve team players some now associate with the competition.

“I will be rotating my squad, out of necessity in some places, to give others a game and one or two a break as well,” he added.

“It’s a cup to try and win but we have got a squad of players and there’s some who haven’t played– first-team players in Andrew Surman, David Jones, Christophe Berra, Kevin Doyle, Sam Vokes, Ronald Zubar, Marcus Hahnemann.”

Wolves go into the encounter without several injured big names and that means fit-again record signing Doyle is set to play his first competitive game.