ROVERS AT READY FOR ROY’S BOYS
DONCASTER Rovers have the chance to showcase their talent to a national audience in the FA Cup fifth round – and manager Grant McCann is relishing the prospect.
Rovers beat Oldham 2-1 in dramatic fashion last weekend to reach the last 16 for the first time since 1956 and they now face Premier League outfit Crystal Palace for a place in the quarter-finals.
Former England boss Roy Hodgson will bring his Eagles to the Keepmoat Stadium on Sunday, February 17 (4pm) after the game was selected for live coverage on BBC One.
It means they will pick up a £150,000 live broadcast fee. There is also the chance to pocket £360,000 in prize money if they can pull off a shock, while it would also improve their prospects of landing a £250,000 Divisional Progress Prize for the League One club that goes the furthest in the competition.
Rovers boss McCann said: “A packed out Keepmoat Stadium would be unbelievable – hopefully we can do it again, get everyone in and get behind us.
“It’s a good draw and a big chance for the boys, a real chance to have a good go and see what we can do. We’ve got absolutely nothing to lose we’ll give it a good go.”
A number of other EFL clubs have been selected for live coverage. The round kicks off on Friday, February 15 when the winners of Tuesday’s replay between Portsmouth and QPR will entertain Watford (BT Sport 2, 7.45pm).
The following day (BT Sport 2, 12.30pm), Frank Lampard’s Derby will visit either West Brom or Brighton, who replay on Wednesday night.
The winners of Tuesday’s replay between Newport County and Middlesbrough will entertain Manchester City, also on the Saturday. That tie has been pencilled in for 5.30pm on BT Sport 2.
Bristol City will host either Wolves or Shrewsbury on the Sunday (BT Sport 2, 1pm).
Repeat
The BBC have chosen the Chelsea v Manchester United tie, a repeat of last year’s final, as their other game for live coverage. It takes place on Monday, February 18 (7.30pm).
It means two ties haven’t been chosen for live coverage, the clubs missing out on a £150,000 windfall. One of those is the London derby between giantkillers AFC Wimbledon and Millwall.
The other match which won’t take place in front of the cameras is Swansea’s home tie against Brentford or Barnet. The return clash of the Bees takes place at Griffin Park on Tuesday.
Newport versus Middlesbrough is live on BT Sport on Tuesday (7.45pm), while West Brom against Brighton is on BBC One on Wednesday (8.05pm). The live broadcast fee for the replays is £72,000.