FA Cup run so vital for Latics - Robinson

Anthony Gerrard

A CUP tie of "massive" importance awaits Athletic - but it's one that the manager would rather have avoided.

Doncaster Rovers roll up to SportsDirect.com Park on Saturday for an FA Cup first-round clash that pits Stephen Robinson's men against a Rovers outfit sitting third in Sky Bet League Two.

It's the sort of match-up Robinson could have done without.

But he stressed he knows full well the importance placed by the club on progressing into the next stage.

Only three home league games follow this before Christmas and with £18,000 going to the winners on Saturday, every little helps for the cash-strapped club.

Progression through the rounds could also, in theory, help to pay for new players.

"The better the cup run we have, the more it generates and maybe the more freed up for possible transfers," Robinson said.

"It is massive for the club and it's a tough tie for us. Doncaster are doing very well and we could have asked for an easier tie.

"But we will be well prepared for that and we are very much aware of how important it is to the club and the board to progress in the cup."

One player Robinson has definitely got eyes on is Anthony Gerrard.

The centre-back continues to train with Athletic to build up his fitness levels.

While stressing that no talks have yet taken place over a possible deal, Robinson did say that the experience of the 30-year-old could prove invaluable if Athletic can snap up the free agent - possibly lining him up in an uncompromising centre-back partnership with former Huddersfield colleague Peter Clarke.

"We haven't even discussed the possibility (of him signing)," replied Robinson, when asked about Gerrard. "He has been out a long time and is miles away from being match fit, but he is getting there.

"Over the last few weeks we have seen a sharpness and if those two (Clarke and Gerrard) are together then you have real organisation and a voice. That's the biggest thing I've noticed, the voices and communication.

"Because if you look through our team, our average age is 23 with not a lot of league games between them. It could be massive to have those two and Paul Green who are the ones who speak and communicate. You can't have enough of those and there aren't a lot of that type in the game any more.

"It is a prospect we will look at when it comes available."

ATHLETIC'S under-18s are in action tonight, in the first round of the FA Youth Cup at SportsDirect.com Park (7pm kick-off).

Admission prices are £4 adults and £2 concessions.