Coppell cool after ‘hardest’ cup draw

READING manager Steve Coppell believes his side have the draw “nobody wanted” after being pitted against Manchester United at Old Trafford in the FA Cup fifth round.

Coppell, a former United player, admits his team must concentrate on their Premiership duties before the tie, which is due to be played on the weekend of February 17 and 18.

United have already disposed of two top-flight opponents at Old Trafford in the cup this season in the shape of Aston Villa and Portsmouth, and the Royals boss is well aware of the size of the task in store.

“Man Utd away means nothing to me until it’s the next thing on the horizon,” was Coppell’s typically understated response to the draw.

“Nobody wants to be drawn away to Manchester United. It’s the draw everyone would say is the hardest.”

Chelsea, United’s closest challengers in the Premiership title race, are also at home and face the winners of a replay between Norwich and Blackpool.

Norwich manager Peter Grant insists a potential FA Cup fifth-round tie away to the Premiership champions “doesn’t concern him” at this stage.

“I didn’t watch the draw because it doesn’t concern me yet.

“If we were through to round five that would be different. But we know we need to get Blackpool out of the way first.”

Fulham’s victory over Stoke has earned them a home tie against rivals Tottenham in the last 16.

Preston have a lucrative home draw against Manchester City.

Bristol City, who held Middlesbrough to a 2-2 draw at Ashton Gate at the weekend, will be at home to West Brom if they overcome Boro in a Riverside replay.

Arsenal or Bolton will host Blackburn while Plymouth’s clash with Derby guarantees Championship representation in the quarter-finals.

Watford’s reward for knocking out last season’s beaten finalists West Ham is a home tie against Ipswich.