Sincil victory is all that counts

FOCUSED ONLY ON LINCOLN GAME . . . Athletic skipper Peter Clarke

ALMOST every pair of eyes and ears will be concentrated on the FA Cup third-round draw before Athletic's game at Lincoln City gets under way . . . but Peter Clarke isn't interested one little bit.

The balls will be drawn in London at around 7.10pm on Monday night, a little over half an hour before kick-off in the second-round tie at Sincil Bank.

By that stage, both sides will probably be out performing warm-up routines ahead of the televised clash at the home of the cream of the current non-league crop.

Clarke (34), though, won't et anything distract him - even if the winners of the tie are handed a dream draw to face his first club Everton.

INTEREST

"I won't have any interest in the draw at all, to be honest. We will see who we get afterwards," said Clarke, who has proved to be a terrific signing by boss Stephen Robinson as a defensive leader.

"The draw is done before the game but that's for the benefit of supporters. If I wasn't playing on Monday then yes, I would be looking and seeing what the draw is.

"But I won't take any notice prior to the game. I will prepare in the same way and find out afterwards."

Clarke, who has missed only two games this season - both in the Checkatrade Trophy - is certain to be selected in the game at Sincil Bank and appreciates the importance of a tie worth £99,000 in TV fees and prize money should Athletic win.

"With it being on the box, it's an opportunity to show what we are about and how we are progressing," the skipper added.

"There is a financial benefit to the club in progressing in cup competitions and we are aware of that.

"Getting into a habit of winning games is good and if we are winning more than we are losing, that's a good thing and hopefully, we can take that into the league as well."

The former Bury, Huddersfield and Blackpool defender is also steadfast in his view that Athletic should be a lot higher up in the League One standings, after Peterborough boss Grant McCann branded the club one of the best footballing sides in League One.

"I don't think Grant McCann is the first to express those views," said Clarke.

"Numerous people involved in the game think we are a decent side and making progress, which I fully agree with.

"We are in a false position. We had had some poor luck and have been on the end of difficult decisions.

"But that's the way things are and we take it on the chin.

"There is a belief in the dressing room and in the club and its staff we are going the right way and will move up the league in the not-too-distant future."