Northampton v Walsall

Northampton Town v Walsall

FA Cup second round

Sixfields Stadium

Kick off 3pm

Don't tell Darren Wrack that the FA Cup has lost it's magic.

A trip to Northampton's functional Sixfields ground in the second round is hardly the stuff of stirring Cup folklore, but the Walsall midfielder believes every FA Cup tie is special, regardless of who you play in the famous old trophy.

"Despite everything that is said about it the Cup has definitely still got the magic for players and for the supporters too, I think," said Wrack.

"There is something a bit special about being in the draw for the next round and if you're still part of it then you have to view every game as an opportunity.

"The prize of being in the third round is huge, and that should give us a bit of motivation tomorrow."

The midfielder believes the Cup offers Saddlers the chance to build on their terrific League One form – a spell of results that saw boss Richard Money in the running for the November manager of the month award.

"As much as anything you do see it as a nice respite from the bread and butter of the League, to be honest," he said.

"It has still got a lot of value as far as we're all concerned and it is one of those competitions that you just love to play in.

"When you're growing up everybody wants to play in the Cup and for all of the teams in League One and League Two it is an opportunity to progress that bit further.

"We know we're not going to win the Cup, but the further we get the better it is for confidence and the more form we build."

With Northampton struggling for form and goals there is a real opportunity for the in-form Saddlers to progress into the third round, but Wrack believes they can't be distracted by the prospect of drawing a plum tie when they still have a tricky trip to Sixfields to negotiate.

The Cobblers are languishing in the lower reaches of the division and Stuart Gray's side are struggling to score goals – something that Walsall exploited perfectly last week.

But Wrack is wary of a Cobblers backlash.

"There is no danger of complacency or us taking it for granted. We're meeting them on level terms," he said.

"We beat them last weekend and it was a great result for us, but I know that as a professional footballer the first thing that you want to do after a defeat like that is to get it out of your system.

"And if you're playing the same team that beat you, you want that win even more. We've got to keep that in mind because if we go there and expect to get another win then we will get punished.

"Our good run has been based on hard work and everyone doing their bit, and we can't forget that."

Northampton have selection problems, with Alex Russell returning to Bristol City and Ipswich loan-man Dean Bowditch cup-tied. They may revert to three at the back, with defender Liam Dolman back in the frame.