Lincoln City boss Danny Cowley can’t wait to pit his wits against Mick McCarthy and Ipswich Town when his Imps side and their 5,000 or so fans visit Portman Road in the FA Cup Third Round on Saturday.

Former Braintree Town boss Cowley, has led City to the top of the National League and they are looking good to make a long-awaited return to the Football League, following their relegation in 2011.

Cowley came to the Imps’ attention after leading Iron to the Conference play-offs last season.

However, in his first full-time job, the former PE teacher is a relative novice compared to McCarthy, who has also managed Millwall, Sunderland, Wolves and Republic of Ireland.

McCarthy has hit something of a sticky patch at Portman Road in recent times, but Cowley says there is no questioning his ability.

“All football managers are under pressure, it does not matter whether they are managing at the top or bottom, and very few managers are afforded much time,” said the Imps boss.

“Mick McCarthy has managed at a World Cup and I am sure he has broad enough shoulders to cope with the pressure – I am looking forward to meeting him.”

He added: “This is a great opportunity for us, we want to play the best teams and we are respectful of Ipswich Town.

“They are a club with a fantastic manager and a magnificent coaching team and I believe they are in a false position at the moment.”

Cowley, and his brother Nicky, who is his assistant at Sincil Bank, has scouted Town’s last two games, and added: “We watched them at against Bristol City and at QPR and we are fully aware of their quality.

“They have some excellent players and Tom Lawrence was the stand-out player in both games.

“They have an experienced front two in (David) McGoldrick and (Brett (Pitman) who are a nice mix, they are physically strong defensively – Adam Webster looks a good footballer – while (Myles) Kenlock gives them good width.

“They started the game really well against Bristol and Mick made some good tactical changes in the second half and they deserved the win.

“I don’t know how they lost at QPR and probably will be disappointed with the goals they let in.

“They should have taken something from the game, but that’s football.”