BLUES boss Jim Magilton will ignore the North Stand boo boys who have been getting on Matt Richards' back and continue to pick him in his teams.

By Derek Davis

By Derek Davis

BLUES boss Jim Magilton will ignore the North Stand boo boys who have been getting on Matt Richards' back and continue to pick him in his teams.

Magilton said: “In my eyes Matt is an important member of my squad. He has come in and done a good job for me. He is a great character and never hides. At times matt picks the ball up in silly areas and gives it away but that is because he wants the ball and anyone who wants he ball in my team will be fine by me.

“He has got better as the season and gone in and

“Fans getting on at certain players has been going on since time began. When I was a kid at Liverpool fans around me used to get on at Ronnie Moran and for me he was the best player at the club at the time.

“It happens and it is down to the individual to get on with it but whatever, he will still be playing in my team.”

Richards is in the squad that face Chester today with the winners guaranteed a £40,000 pay out and the chance of an attractive fourth round tie when the draw is made Monday lunchtime.

While a cup run would give Magilton more flexibility in the transfer market he is not being leaned on by the directors and has his own motivation to do well.

Magilton said: “The board have not put any extra pressure on me regarding a cup run. As I player I never enjoyed a glorious cup run so I intend to change that as a manager.

“I had a shocking record, the best I did was with Southampton when we got to the quarter finals and were beaten by Manchester United.

“Chester will provide a very stern test after getting a second chance and will have a right go at us.”

“It is a game I expect us to win and to go on in the competition so we will be going there all guns blazing.”

Magilton's intentions will be made clear by his team selection and not too many changes from the side that beat Birmingham 1-0, are expected against the League Two minnows.

He said: “We are not at the stage where we can make a lot of changes to our side. Winning is a good habit and we want to carry on from Monday.

“We may nurse Gavin Williams through and bring him on late as we did against Birmingham.”

Scott Barron and Martin Brittain have been added to the squad with Jon Macken and Simon Walton returning to their month clubs after loan spells, although Macken could yet return - if not in this window then in the summer.

Brittain could make his Blues debut this afternoon after doing well in his ten games on loan at Yeovil.

Brittain started in Newcastle's 1-0 win over Mansfield last season and played 64 minutes before being replaced by Michael Chopra.

Magilton said: “Martin did well at Yeovil and this game will give us a chance to see him. He has come back lively and looking fitter and ready to play.”

Danny Haynes is glad that Ipswich would not allow Millwall to use him in their two earlier ties when they beat Havant & Waterlooville live on television at Fratton Park and then Bradford in the last round to set up a home game with Stoke City today.

It means he can be involved at Chester today, a year after starting in Town's defeat against Portsmouth at the same stage last season.

Haynes said: “I'm looking forward to this game and hopefully I can be involved. I play every game the same way. I give 100 per cent and I will not look at this cup match any differently.

“It is a chance for us to try and win something else and not just look at the league. Hopefully I can get a start but if not I will just take it on the chin and get on with it. My confidence is high after being at Millwall so it is just a case of working hard and trying to take any chance that comes along.”

Darren Currie is not included in the squad and Magilton admitted a move to Coventry was still a strong possibility once a price can be agreed.