Curbs content with cup draw

Alan Curbishley has spoken of his satisfaction at landing a home tie in the FA Cup third round but said it was important to focus first on more immediate challenges.

"I am delighted it is a home draw, I know it is an all-Premiership tie but with the home advantage I think we will have the edge," he said. The fixture, to be played at 3pm on Saturday 5 January, provides the chance for Curbishley's side to put right the memory of a 2-0 defeat at the Boleyn Ground by the same opponents on the opening day of the 2007/08 campaign.

Curbishley, who is preparing his side for a Sunday trip to Blackburn Rovers, added: "We were obviously disappointed with the way our season kicked off with a loss to Man City but we have improved a lot since then and will be a very different proposition. There is a lot of football to play before then so although we are looking forward to the tie we will think about that game nearer the time."