Petrasso’s FA Cup ambition

MIKE Petrasso is available for Athletic on Saturday.

MIKE Petrasso is looking forward to contracting FA Cup fever with Athletic.

The QPR loan winger showed his speed and trickery in an impressive cameo against Bradford last week.

That came after two previous outings for the club by the diminutive wide man from Canada, including a match-winning effort at Gillingham..

If selected, Petrasso will get the chance to test the mettle of Mansfield’s defence at Boundary Park on Saturday, after his parent club confirmed they will allow him to become cup-tied to Athletic.

And as far as the 18-year-old is concerned, this is a tournament that excites him.

“The FA Cup is always one of those competitions that inspires you as a player,” said Petrasso, who is currently in the middle of a one-month youth loan from Loftus Road.

“I watched it with interest at QPR last season. If I do get the opportunity to play in the FA Cup, it will be a massive step forward for me.

“If we get the chance to experience playing against a Championship or Premier League side, that would be fantastic.”

Stiffening the defence against such an upset when Athletic take on Mansfield on Saturday will be Ellis Plummer who, like Petrasso, has been given permission to feature for Athletic.



Mansfield have recalled midfielder Adam Murray from his loan at Worksop Town in time to feature against Athletic.

Murray, who is also the club’s assistant manager, fell out with boss Paul Cox earlier this season, but after the pair met this week a return was agreed.

Athletic striker Charlie MacDonald, who missed the Bradford game with a thigh problem, is still awaiting the results of a scan to determine the extent of his injury.