SOUTHEND United will host Brentford in the first round of the Carabao Cup.

The game will take place during the opening week of the new season and will see the Shrimpers attempting to improve their poor record in the competition.

Blues have suffered seven successive first round exits in the League Cup and have not won in the competition since beating Bristol City back in 2010.

The clash with the Bees will be the Shrimpers' sixth home game in succession in the League Cup and could see goalkeeper Daniel Bentley returning to Roots Hall.

Bentley - who came through Blues' youth system - made 160 appearances for Southend and helped them win promotion via the League Two play-offs in 2015.

The 24-year-old has continued to impress since signing for the Bees in 2016 but he may not feature in the first round tie as he has not played in the League Cup since making the move to Griffin Park.

As a result another ex Shrimpers goalkeeper, Luke Daniels, could play.

Brentford finished ninth in the Championship last season.