Mick McCarthy relishing a cup cracker with Birmingham City
Wolverhampton Wanderers manager Mick McCarthy admits he is relishing the FA Cup third round after learning his side’s opponents will be fellow Championship promotion contenders Blues.
The game between the big neighbours and rivals will be held at St Andrew’s on the weekend of January 3 and 4 and will be the fourth meeting between the two sides in the competition and also McCarthy’s third head-to-head with Alex McLeish this season.
Table-topping Wolves and second-placed Blues met at St Andrew’s in the Championship on Saturday with the match ending in a 1-1 stalemate.
McCarthy is now looking forward to the encounter with Wolves ahead in previous cup meetings between the two sides.
He said: “I think it’s a great draw. Like all managers I would have preferred a home tie but I think this has the potential to be another exciting game.
“It’s two teams who are at the top of the Championship at the moment and is another big derby.
“By the time the game comes around I’m sure it will be another big occasion and we’ll all be looking forward to it.”
A goal from Blues’ Cameron Jerome and a 78th minute Sylvan Ebanks-Blake strike could not sperate the sides on Saturday but Blues will have felt the more aggrieved at the final whistle having also had a Liam Ridgwell strike disallowed for handball.
McCarthy is convinced the Cup will give his side another
