Ginty is up for the cup

One of Ireland's lesser known exports, Rory Ginty, could make only his second appearance for Crystal Palace against Third Division Scunthorpe in the FA Cup third round at Selhurst Park today.

The 20-year-old Galway-born midfielder, who joined Palace as a trainee five years ago, may play from the start due to Palace's injury headache. Ginty made his full debut for the club in the 2-2 draw against Blackburn last Sunday after several appearances as substitute.

Former Sligo Rovers manager, Steve Cotterill takes his present club, Cheltenham, into a tie against Ray Houghton's Reading. Cotterill has led the club to the FA Cup third round for the first time in 64 years with much of the limelight going to a player seven years his senior, Clive Walker.

Walker now 40, is 10 games into an extension of his playing career after an ill-fated 11-week introduction to coaching as assistant to former Dundalk boss, Eddie May, at Brentford.

But 33-year-old Cotterill points out that Cheltenham, riding high in the Conference, are not a one-man team and their record of one defeat in 25 League and Cup games supports that view. Reading watch out!

Jeff Kenna and Damien Duff keep their places in the Blackburn Rovers team against Wigan, as does Jason McAteer for Liverpool's potential thriller against Coventry, where Willie Boland may get the opportunity to make a name for himself.

Sunderland are unchanged for the eighth successive match when they defend an unbeaten 14-match run at Rotherham which means Niall Quinn's change of fortune continues. Conversely, Paul McGrath misses Sheffield United's clash with Bury due to injury.

There could be plenty of Irish interest tomorrow in one of the ties of the round, Everton versus Newcastle. Richard Dunne and Gareth Farrelly are definite starters for the Goodison Park side, while Shay Given and Jim Crawford are in the Newcastle travelling squad.

Denis Irwin is expected to return at left-back for Manchester United against cup holders Chelsea, while John Aldridge named himself among the substitutes as he takes his Tranmere team to Hereford.