Boss Sandy says Diamonds are in it to win it as they target Cup shock at Burton

AFC Rushden & Diamonds are aiming to make FA Cup history when they travel to Burton Albion on Saturday (ko 3pm) - with boss Elliot Sandy targeting what would be a famous giant-killing!

Diamonds make the trip to the Pirelli Stadium knowing that five divisions separate them from the Sky Bet League One Brewers, but they are travelling with confidence.

In the past three rounds, Diamonds have already dispatched higher level opposition, beating Step 3 Peterborough Sports and then seeing off Step 2 pair Braintree and Morecambe.

So they do have previous, and although Sandy accepts that taking on a league one team on their own patch is several levels above what they have achieved already this season, he is still daring to dream.

"Look, we know it is going to be extremely difficult, but we have done it before," said the Diamonds boss.

"Nobody expected us to beat Peterborough Sports, let alone Braintree and then Morecambe, and it does happen in the FA Cup.

"We know we are going to have produce our best performance of the season and hope that Burton are off their game if we are to cause an upset.

"But I don't think there is any point in turning up to any game if you don't believe you can get the result.

"We are under no illusions as to how difficult that will be, but we will give it the best we have got and we will see what happens from there."

It has been a big week for everybody at Hayden Road, with the FA Cup trophy being taken to the club’s home ground for picture opportunities ahead of training on Tuesday.

The team then trained as normal, and will train again on Thursday night ahead of the trip to Burton at the weekend, where they will be backed by a 2,000-strong army of travelling supporters.

There will be no overnight hotel stay on Friday, but Sandy revealed that he and his players still intend to make the most of the day, regardless of the result in the end.

"We will travel together, arrive together, and soak it all up,” said the Diamonds boss. "That is what this week is about, it is about enjoying it because it doesn't happen often.

"I played football for a long time and got to the first round twice in my career. So we have to soak it all in and at the same time make sure you don't let it pass you by.

"You want each player to show individually what they are about, and then as a team we need to show what a good side we are."

Diamonds have been boosted by the signing of experienced shar-shooter Billy Sharp, who has come out of retirement for the match and is targeting a 300th senior career goal.

He is a player that Burton boss Gary Bowyer knows well, and he is looking forward to locking horns with him again – although he has questioned the fact he is coming in for this one game.

"Billy Sharp, what a phenomenal career,” said Bowyer. "He played against us last season for Doncaster and I was stood talking to him, because I think Doncaster took him off.

"I spoke to him after the game and if I am brutally honest I am surprised that nobody has given him a contract. He has been a wonderful goalscorer.

"But if this is for just one game, and if I was one of the Rushden lads that was hoping to get a game because the other lad was suspended, I might not be a Billy Sharp fan for that particular day! But that's not my problem.

"It's interesting the way they can do that, but it will be nice to see Billy."

John-Joe O’Toole is also expected to feature for Diamonds, and he will be returning to one of his old stomping grounds, having spent two seasons at Burton between 2019 and 2021.

Sandy will also be hoping former Northampton Town man Matty Warburton is available, along with attacker Bruno Andrade, as they both missed last weekend’s 4-2 defeat at Carlton Town.