Kav ready to beat Leeds

Last updated : 06 January 2006 By Paul Farrington
Kavanagh: Semi Final is amazing
Kavanagh, 32, sat out the Birmingham defeat but is expected to come back into the starting line-up on Saturday against Leeds.

The tough tackling midfielder told the Wigan Observer:"The FA Cup is hugely important for this club - it's a great competition. To go on another run will show the manager how all the players in the squad can do.

"We believe we can go a long way, we fear no-one.

"We'll be taking the game seriously. It should be agreat cup tie. It will be a great atmosphere because Leeds will bring a big crowd."

These comments fly in the face of suggestions that Jewell would play a weakened side to rest many of his tired first team regulars who have faced a conjested holiday fixture list.

There is also the semi-final with Arsenal on Tuesday to take into account.

Leighton Baines will definately sit out Saturday's game and faces a race to be fit for the Arsenal clash, while new-boy Paul Scharner could well make his debut tomorrow.

Other changes could see Taylor, Connolly and Johansson back in the starting line-up.

Kavanagh himself is looking forward to the semi final. He said: "They are two huge games against Arsenal. We all knowwhat's at stake and to get the club into a final of a major competition would be absolutely huge.

"You would have never believed at the start of the season that we'd have a two legged affair against Arsenal. We certainly never expected to make it, but now it's an opportunity to excel as a group of players.

"I've never been in a semi-final before and these are games you definately want to be playing in."

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