Carlisle v Ipswich: Old pals Paul Jewell and Greg Abbott will come head-to-head in opposing dugouts for the first time tonight.

The two managers, who remain good friends, will lock horns to do all they can to achieve cup success – using it as a platform for improvements in their respective leagues.

Win, lose or draw, Abbott has paid a handsome tribute to ‘Jagger’ Jewell – while offering, in his own unique style, some insights into the personality of the Blues boss.

He said: “Jagger is a typical Scouser – he’s always got something to say.

“In all seriousness, he was a good player. He was the poor man’s Kenny Dalglish – he twisted and turned and got his shots away, a bit like Cads (Carlisle striker Danny Cadamarteri).

“He always loved his football, was fantastic around the dressing room and he has since gone on and kept the same appetite for it.”

The pair played together at Bradford City with Abbott politely declining to talk about all the things they got up to – for fear his Carlisle players might end up doing the same thing.

He reflected: “Times have changed. There was no Facebook, textbook, twitterbug and all that sort of stuff. I don’t even know how to do all that, and if I don’t he [Jewell] certainly won’t.

“He said ‘We’ll both end up as managers, you know that don’t you?’ I actually said that I couldn’t see him as a manager.

“And he said, ‘Well, I’ve got more chance than you.’ And he made it before me, and he’s been successful.

“But win, lose or draw, Jagger will be in with me after the game and we will be shouting and bawling at each other, telling a few stories.”

* Follow @davegoods and @Stuart_Watson on Twitter for all the team news, reports and reaction from Brunton Park tonight.