FA Cup: Hill banking on home comforts

Dagenham and Redbridge boss Garry Hill takes his team into a glamorous FA Cup home clash with Premiership Ipswich at Victoria Road tomorrow - but insists his team’s priority must remain the Conference.

‘‘Our priority has to be the league but hopefully we’ll do ourselves justice,’’ Hill said.

‘‘The first 20 minutes will be difficult but with a good crowd behind us I think we can do well.’’

Hill’s only major absentee is veteran striker Mark Stein, who suffered a hamstring injury during the second-round win over Exeter.

Ipswich boss George Burley has sought Charlton’s help to run the rule over his club’s potential banana skin.

Dagenham came within a minute of stunning Charlton at The Valley last season so Burley spent time seeking out the secrets from Addicks boss Alan Curbishley last week.

‘‘Dagenham have players capable of competing with Premiership sides and we know that we will have to be at our best,’’ said Burley.

‘‘I will see how the injuries settle down over the next couple of days and how the pitch looks before making my selection.’’

John McGreal (ankle) is still sidelined and there are more defensive concerns with Mark Venus picking up a dead leg and Thomas Gaardsoe a sore ankle in the 3-2 loss at The Valley.

Chelsea, humbled by Southampton on New Year’s Day, will need to be at their competitive best this weekend as they take on Norwich at Carrow Road.

Claudio Ranieri could make changes to his side as Marcel Desailly is now ready to return after a lengthy Achilles problem, even though centre-backs John Terry and William Gallas were in superb form before that defeat.

Boudewijn Zenden could also come back into contention for a place in the squad after hamstring trouble, although Emmanuel Petit has missed the past couple of games with further ankle problems.

Norwich boss Nigel Worthington will be without loan player David Nielsen because Wimbledon do not want him cup-tied.

Meanwhile, fellow Dane Steen Nedergaard faces a late fitness test as he has been suffering with flu. Wales international striker Iwan Roberts is sidelined as he is out for at least a month with knee ligament damage.

Coventry player-manager Roland Nilsson is waiting on the fitness of a number of players before he can finalise his plans for the clash with Tottenham at Highfield Road.

Nilsson seems unlikely to be able to select himself for the tie as he is still struggling with a groin problem, as is fellow defender Marcus Hall.

Glenn Hoddle is hoping Spurs can continue their hard work after a hectic festive spell.

‘‘We’ve got a big schedule ahead of us with the two cup games against Chelsea and the FA Cup. So we’re not going to get that much rest over the coming period,’’ he said.

Hoddle is hoping Darren Anderton can once again lead the Spurs midfield against the Sky Blues.

‘‘He’s really been consistent for us and his work-rate is there for everybody to see,’’ added Hoddle.

If Tottenham are to avenge their defeat at the hands of City in the 1987 final, they will have to do it without Teddy Sheringham.

The England international yesterday had his appeal against a sending off against Ipswich turned down by the Football Association and so starts a three-match ban.

Rotherham have used a series of postponements to bring back key players who should be available for tomorrow’s Millmoor meeting with Southampton.

Strikers Alan Lee (heel) and Andy Monkhouse (hamstring) are on the verge of first-team recalls and boss Ronnie Moore said: ‘‘We’ve been very lucky in that respect.

‘‘The injured players are happy because they don’t miss as many matches, but those who have come in are unhappy because it’s an opportunity for them to impress.’’

Southampton manager Gordon Strachan refuses to let his players underestimate their opponents.

Strachan said: ‘‘We are going through a tough spell of fixtures and I don’t want my players to go thinking it is going to be easy up there.

‘‘But I am sure they will be professional enough to treat Rotherham in the same way they would any other opponent.’’

Strachan has injury problems, with former Coventry defender Paul Williams nursing a groin strain and midfield player Matthew Oakley still troubled by the ankle injury which kept him out of the holiday matches.