United have confirmed that neither of their recent signings are eligible for Saturday's clash having moved to Elland Road on short-term deals last month.

Welsh international Vokes joined Leeds from Wolves until January 1 while winger Gradel arrived on a month-long loan from Leicester City, but their parent clubs have moved to prevent them from becoming cup-tied in the early stages of the competition.

Vokes and Gradel are free to feature in next week's Johnstone's Paint Trophy quarter-final against Grimsby Town – a tournament which does not involve Wolves or Leicester – but both players have appeared in the Carling Cup for their parent clubs this season and may be required when they enter the FA Cup at the third-round stage in January.

With Vokes missing, United manager Simon Grayson will be forced to make at least one change to his starting line-up for the first-round tie at Oldham.

The striker's absence could mean a rare start for Tresor Kandol who scored the final goal in Saturday's 4-0 win over Yeovil and who also found the net during Leeds' match at Bristol Rovers last week.

Kandol has returned to form and favour this season with three efforts in five appearances and his promotion to the starting line-up against Oldham would reunite a partnership with Jermaine Beckford which flourished at Elland Road two years ago.

Gradel, meanwhile, has appeared as a substitute in United's last four matches and scored his first goal for the club against Yeovil on Saturday.