Eyes on the prize

Mansfield’s well-travelled assistant manager Adam Murray was brought back for the initial clash at Boundary Park (pictured, beaten to the ball by Athletic skipper Korey Smith). The 32 year old will hope to exert his influence again from midfield tonight.

THE MANAGERS appear to be preparing for different scenarios as Mansfield host Athletic tonight — but both home boss Paul Cox and Lee Johnson at least agree on the scale of the prize at stake for the victors.

Cox, whose side’s 1-1 draw at Boundary Park earlier this month earned a second shot on home soil, says that his team will play on the front foot at Field Mill.

Johnson, though, says he expects a similar test to that which the Sky Bet League Two side provided in the first meeting.

Athletic are hoping to set up an FA Cup meeting with Liverpool, this time at Anfield like in 2011-12, for a third successive season.

And while Johnson believes the Stags will be as physical as they were last time out, he also pointed out that their talented stars — like Sam Clucas, a reported Nottingham Forest target who scored from a free-kick at Boundary Park — could cause renewed problems if the visitors are not on top of their own performance.

“We will be expecting similar from them,” said Johnson. “A similar sort of team and similar sort of work ethic. It will be a tough game. But it is one where we can go there and be confident that if we play as well as we can, we have got a really good chance of a massive prize at the back end of it.

“Our lads are buzzing and everyone wants to play at Anfield, just as everyone wants to be in the technical area at Anfield.

“We go there full of confidence and full of the excitement of what could be a fantastic tie if we win.”