With only four fit senior defenders and now two recognised strikers after Joe Mason headed back to Cardiff City yesterday, the Whites boss is unlikely to make wholesale changes for the third round tie.
Freedman has spoken repeatedly of his aim to bring young players through the system but has thus far been unable to deliver on his promise.
Part of the reason, says the Scot, is the club’s precarious position in the Championship table but with the freedom of cup football tomorrow, he has confirmed the likes of Josh Vela and Hayden White – both named on the bench against Middlesbrough – could come into the equation.
“I gave 19 debuts at my previous club and I’m very proud of that but they have got to be good enough,” he said. “The Under-21s have shown me in glimpses that one or two can step up. “One or two I will look at for Saturday’s game. But in terms of changing the whole team that is not going to happen because I want to win the game.”
Sanmi Odelusi and Tom Youngs have seen sparse action in the Capital One Cup this season but have yet to make much of an impact on the Championship squad.
Freedman has also brought the likes of of Andy Kellett, Cian Bolger, Luke Woodland, Oscar Threlkeld and Jan Gregus into his matchday squads, but they have yet to emerge off the bench.