THEY may well be the underdogs against Middlesbrough but Exeter City have already proved they can spring a surprise after knocking Luton Town out of the Carabao Cup.

But boss Gary Caldwell thinks tonight is a tougher test than the visit of the Hatters in the last round, saying Boro have a “better squad” than the Premier League side.

Caldwell is aiming to lead Exeter into the last eight of the League Cup for the first time in the club’s history and while he anticipates a rip-roaring atmosphere on a “special night” at St James Park, he admits his side face an extremely difficult challenge.

“We said at the time Luton were a really difficult team, and a Premier League team. I think if anything Middlesbrough are probably better as a squad,” he said.

“Although they’re in the Championship I think man-for-man, looking at their squad, I think they’re better [than Luton].

“They’ve hit a good patch of form in terms of their season, albeit they lost on Saturday, but they had a slow start and have really picked up recently.

“It’s another extremely difficult game. It’s another game where we are huge underdogs, but we showed the last time with a full house, with a really passionate support behind us that we can achieve great things, so hopefully Tuesday night’s another special night at St James Park.”

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Tonight’s hosts are in their worst run of form since Caldwell took charge a year ago and their win over Luton is their only victory in their last 10 outings in all competitions. They did manage to end a six-game losing streak by picking up a point against Lincoln City last time out. Caldwell hopes recent form goes out of the window tonight.

“If we do win then we are creating history – and that’s something that should be really exciting for the players,” Caldwell told BBC Devon.

“They should be really looking forward to it and go and give it absolutely everything.

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“The club has never been in the next round. The last round the supporters came with a real passionate belief that we could win the match, and they helped us get over the line.

“It’s more of the same really. Under the lights I think the stadium is different, you get a different atmosphere and hopefully they can come and help us create history.”