Underdogs with plenty of bite

BRING IT ON: Lee Croft is hoping Athletic can cause another FA Cup upset tonight.

LEE Croft knows Athletic won’t be fancied much to win at Goodison Park — and the former Manchester City and Norwich wide-man is okay with that.

Looking relaxed ahead of another televised FA Cup game, Croft acknowledges a tough night’s work lies ahead for the lowest-ranked club still in the competition.

The 27-year-old flyer, whose home-town club Wigan await the victors tonight, said: “We’ll be huge underdogs again, but that has been pretty much the way right the way through.

“We’re under no illusions. It’s going to be really difficult, but it’s about working hard on the night. We’ve got a threat going forward; big men who can get on the end of crosses - as was proved in the game here.”

Just being part of the draw for the quarter-finals gave Croft a lift, so unsurprisingly there is still plenty of confidence in the Athletic camp.

“If we win we’ll be buzzing and will look forward to that, but for now we’re under no illusions. There is a huge task awaiting us,” said Croft.

“The fans will be turning out in their numbers again so as players, we’re just hoping to put in a good

performance. It’s another opportunity to test ourselves against one of the best sides in the Premier League.”