Kuqi’s sights on the biggest coup of all

SHEFKI Kuqi: old adversary

The two big strikers go head-to-head tonight, as Athletic's flying Finn and Liverpool's giant Geordie attempt to score the goals that would send their respective sides into the fourth round.

Only a year ago, Kuqi was snapped up as Carroll's stop-gap replacement at Newcastle after the £35million deal which took him to Merseyside.

Despite struggling in front of goal since the switch, Kuqi expects his counterpart — who turned 22 today — to come good.

"I think he will succeed," said Kuqi, who has been on the losing side at Anfield three times in club football for Blackburn, Fulham and Newcastle.

"As a centre-forward, you need some luck. Sometimes, you just can't score no matter what.

"But then maybe you have a shot which isn't going in until it hits a defender and once that happens, you can't stop scoring. You just have to be confident and believe in yourself."

Kuqi accepts it will be tough tonight, but is not ruling out claiming a personal Anfield first by being part of a famous Athletic victory.

"It is a great draw and a big occasion," he added. “Everyone at the club is looking forward to it and it was the best draw we could have got. Liverpool is not a place a lot of teams go to and get results. But everything is possible in football, especially in the FA Cup."



JAMES Wesolowski promises to add steel to Athletic's midfield tonight.

The Australian, a boyhood Liverpool fan, dislocated his shoulder in the Boxing Day clash with Hartlepool, but has since made a good recovery.

Wesolowski took part in a practice match on Wednesday and was a member of the squad which trained yesterday.

"Anyone who has seen us play in every game this season will say that when fit, Jimbo (Wesolowski) and Kieran Lee have been our most consistent players," said manager Paul Dickov.

"Jimbo adds a lot to us in terms of discipline in midfield, goals – as has been seen recently – and he never gives up.

"Whoever he is playing against, he never gives them a moment's peace. He is desperate to play."