SECURING top-flight status has never been more important in the wake of the ITV Digital crisis, so can we really blame Premiership clubs for devaluing the Worthington Cup by fielding weakened sides when the pitfalls are so great?

Clogging up an already congested fixture list, the League Cup has long been a competition too far for top managers.

Even for clubs seeing the much-maligned competition as a tantalising route into Europe may soon find the cup's prospects of hanging onto its current UEFA Cup status decidedly half-empty.

Premiership is paramount; the League Cup, in whatever guise, is one distraction too many.

Defending the reason for fielding a side replete with reserve team players following his side's dismal defeat to Ipswich at Portman Road on Wednesday, Boro manager Steve McClaren spelt out exactly that message.

"The Worthington Cup is a great competition," he said, speaking on the club's official website.

"Unfortunately when you have other pressures you have to prioritise."

Indeed, why gamble losing your place in the safe haven of the Premier League by injuring your best players in the slim hope of securing European football?

It's a lesson that Manchester City boss Kevin Keegan has learned the hard way following injuries to key defenders Steve Howey and Sylvain Distin during their defeat by Wigan.

The repercussions of City losing their top-flight status are almost unthinkable following a summer of lavish spending on such players as Nicolas Anelka.

Since the onset of the Premiership a decade ago (and subsequent ITV Digital collapse), surviving without the substantial riches afforded to clubs in the top flight has become increasingly difficult.

The real players now wear business suits as traditional strips are changed at the whim of a marketing man - because what really counts is the colour of money.

In such a backdrop, the League Cup, with its dwindling band of supporters, stands out like a sore thumb.

However, talk of scrapping the 'Worthless Cup' is ill-conceived.

It has become too much of an easy target for doubters who forget its importance to the lower divisions.

Despite being a poor relation of the FA Cup - a tournament which itself has attracted its fair share of criticism over the past few seasons - the Football League estimates that its premier competition generates £90m a season and, for many clubs in the Nationwide League, their slice of pie is more than 25 per cent of annual revenue. Scrap the cup and 72 clubs are cut off at the knees.

Even for fans and managers of Premiership clubs, the competition is an ideal chance to see some of their up-and-coming prospects free from the cut and thrust of the League.

The League Cup does need radical restructuring, but just don't expect top-flight managers to gamble their club's fortunes in the meantime.