Eastleigh boss excited over possible Leeds cup meeting

Eastleigh can take pride in simply being mentioned in the same breath as Leeds, according to manager Chris Todd, after the non-league club were handed an “incredible” potential pairing in the FA Cup.

Saturday’s 1-1 third-round draw with Bolton at Ten Acres earned Vanarama National League side Eastleigh the right to replay the Trotters in Lancashire and, should they progress fromthere, ahomemeetingwith 1972 winners Leeds awaits.

Welsh boss Todd is fully focused on beating Bolton next week but cannot conceal his excitement at the prospect of tackling the Whites on the south coast.

He told BBC Radio 5 Live: “It’s a great tie. It’s unbelievable for teamslikeLeedsandBoltontobe mentioned in the same breath as Eastleigh... that’s a massive achievement.”

Northampton’s reward if they can get past MK Dons in a replay will be a visit from Chelsea while cup holders Arsenal must entertain Burnley.

Chelsea are not the only Barclays Premier League giant takingtotheroadasManchester United were sent to Derby, with Manchester City told to pitch up at either Sky Bet League Two club Wycombe or Aston Villa, who drew 1-1 on Saturday.

Liverpool were held to a 2-2 drawbyExeterandthewinnerof that replay will entertain West Ham.

Harry Kane’s late penalty kept Tottenham in the competition and if Spurs can do the business against Leicester in their replay, a journey to Colchester awaits.

CrystalPalacetackleStokeina rareall-PremierLeaguetiewhile Oxford, who knocked Swansea out on Sunday, must wait to discover if they will host their League Two rivals Newport, or Blackburn.

If West Brom manage to get past Bristol City they will welcome Peterborough and Everton are tasked with visiting either Carlisle or Yeovil from the fourth tier.

The fourth-round fixtures will be played between January 29 and February 1.