London, Dec 31 (DPA) Leeds United defender Leigh Bromby will watch Sunday’s FA Cup third round tie against Manchester United from the stands at Old Trafford.
The game is arguably the pick of the third-round ties, taking the League One side back to the home of the Premier League champions, whom they consider their bitterest rivals.
Bromby has been a mainstay of the Leeds side has they have risen to the top of League One, but his booking at Stockport County Monday means he has incurred a one-match suspension.
“I’m massively frustrated,” he told the club website. “I’ve not played at Old Trafford before and it’s a game I was looking forward to.
“I know all the tickets have sold out – a lot of my friends and family will be there. I just hope I can get in to see the game.”
United manager Alex Ferguson will almost certainly take the opportunity to field fringe players in the game, taking him to 100 matches since he last named an unchanged side.
United’s city rivals City probably face a tougher task as they travel to Middlesbrough, who were relegated from the Premier League last season.
They will be looking for a third straight win under new manager Roberto Mancini, but will be without midfielder Stephen Ireland, who has a hamstring injury.
Chelsea, meanwhile, host Watford in what will be their first game without Didier Drogba, Salomon Kalou, Mikel John Obi and Michael Essien, who have all joined up with their respective squads for January’s African Cup of Nations.
For Watford the game comes as a welcome boost after the financial problems that threatened to send the club into administration.
Liverpool are expected to field a strong side away at Championship-side Reading in what is the one competition they still have any chance of winning this season.
Victory at Aston Villa Tuesday helped restore confidence in a jittery squad, and captain Jamie Carragher believes the corner has been turned.
“We’ve had a lot of ups and downs this season and hopefully we can go on a good run now,” he said.
Aston Villa host Blackburn Rovers, Wigan Athletic play Hull City and Arsenal travel to West Ham United in the three all-Premier League clashes.
Barrow head the non-league challenge as they travel east to face Sunderland at the Stadium of Light.
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