Luke Leahy hoping for a Walsall cup adventure

The 24-year-old, a summer arrival from Falkirk, will be part of the Saddlers side that travel to take on Newport County tomorrow.

A boyhood Liverpool fan who grew up in Coventry, Leahy will make his debut in the world’s oldest knockout competition having previously played his football in Scotland.

And he admits he is looking forward to experiencing the magic of the cup for the first time.

“The FA Cup is one of the biggest competitions in the world,” he said.

“If we can get through and have a nice little Cup run, it’d boost everyone – the players, fans and everyone around the whole club.

“As you get into that January draw, you can face anyone – teams like Chelsea and Man United. That’s what makes the competition special. Anyone can play anyone.

“But we know there is long way to go before then. Beating Newport County and being in the hat at 7.30pm on Saturday is the only thing that matters at the minute.

“There’s a bit of excitement. For a few us it’s the first time we have played in the Cup and that is special having grown up watching it.

“But we know we have to treat in like any other game. Be professional and get through to the next round.”

Leahy admits he and his family have always enjoyed watching the iconic competition.

“Steven Gerrard scoring against West Ham in the final in 2006 is the moment that has always stood out for me,” he continued.

“But my family always used to go on about Coventry versus Tottenham in 1987. They talk about Keith Houchen’s header. My family were there at that game. And that is what the FA Cup is about, it creates fond memories that people never forget.”

Walsall will take on a Newport side currently sat eighth in League Two, one place and two points outside the play-off zone.

The Exiles have impressed ever since the appointment of Mike Flynn as boss – with the former defender pulling off a miracle escape to stop them falling out of the Football League last season.

And Leahy says the Saddlers know they are in for a tough game.

“With us being in the league above, they’ll want to knock us out,” he added.

“There’s the England – Wales rivalry but we’re just preparing like any other game.

“The FA Cup is known for the finals, the first round and the shocks.

“We have to make sure we are not one of those shocks on Saturday and we are the ones through to the second round.”