Martin’s first call will reveal plenty.
Leicester’s squad has been heavily reshaped, and that gives this game added weight. A settled side can ease into a cup opener; a rebuilt one uses it to establish pecking order. Competitive football sharpens every decision, especially when a place in the second round is on the line in the week commencing 24 August.
There is at least one useful reference point. Leicester beat Northampton 3-0 in a training-ground meeting last month, but a closed-door result only goes so far. Saturday’s game carries consequence, pressure and a different kind of scrutiny.
The arrival of Wes Burns from Ipswich Town adds another layer to the debate. As Leicester’s latest signing - and reportedly the sixth of the window - he underlines the scale of the overhaul.
The immediate question is simple: does Martin throw him in quickly or ease him into the group?
Burns’ timing matters. Signing only days before the opener means he is joining a side still settling into shape. If he features, it will hint at how urgently Leicester want their new signings integrated. If he does not, that will be a reminder that this rebuild is still a work in progress.
This match will not define Leicester’s season, but it should frame the early conversation. A strong display would give Martin a platform before the league gets underway; a disjointed one would underline how much work remains. Either way, the next thing to watch is clear: which names from this first competitive XI become the foundation for Leicester’s opening League One lineup next week.