Delap reached the last eight of the Carling Cup with Stoke last season

Stoke City midfielder Rory Delap says his side will take the Carling Cup seriously because it is a realistic chance of silverware.

Stoke face Blackpool at the Britannia Stadium in the third round on Tuesday, having beaten League One side Leyton Orient after extra-time in round two.

"It's a chance for us to try and win something," Delap told BBC Radio Stoke.

"Realistically we're not going to win the Premier League, so it's the FA Cup and the Carling Cup we're looking at."

Blackpool have made a reasonable start to the Championship season under Ian Holloway.

The Seasiders have taken 13 points from their first eight league matches and have already knocked out one Premier League side from the competition in Wigan Athletic.

"No one's under any illusions that it's going to be easy," added Delap.

"They've had some great results recently and I know they'll be well up for it so we won't be taking it lightly."

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