The Football League is looking for a new sponsor for the League Cup after Carling declined to renew its current deal.

The beer brand has sponsored the competition since 2003 but its exclusive negotiating period to extend the deal beyond this season has now passed without an agreement being reached.

The Football League claims it is now in talks with other companies about sponsoring the cup from the 2012/2013 season.

Greg Clarke, the Football League chairman, said: "This is the first time in 14 years that this sponsorship has been available in the marketplace and we look forward to offering potential sponsors the rare opportunity to put their brand on one of domestic football's major competitions.

"The growth in popularity of English football on the world stage, which has led to the League Cup being broadcast in more than 150 countries, means that this is also a sponsorship with global appeal."