City wary of FFA Cup upset in Newcastle

John van 't Schip says shock results are inevitable in the Westfield FFA Cup but he's determined Melbourne City FC will not be victims of an upset at the hands of Newcastle-based Edgeworth FC on Tuesday night.

City, beaten semi-finalists in the Hyundai A-League last season, are short of available first-team players and lacking match practice ahead of this intriguing FFA Cup clash at Magic Park. 

Although they acquitted themselves well in a 1-0 friendly loss to sister club Manchester City on the Gold Coast last month, the A-League outfit should have enough quality to see off their minnow opposition. 

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Boasting a record of eight wins and just one loss in their last nine matches, PS4 NPL Northern NSW leaders Edgeworth appear prime candidates to pull off a surprise in the round-of-32 FFA Cup action this week.

With that in mind, van 't Schip has scouted Damian Zane's team and knows his players must be prepared to face buoyant FFA Cup opponents in Newcastle.

"We had a look," he said when quizzed on the would-be Cup giant-killers.

"We have an idea of how they play. We followed the last result, they won on Friday, 2-0 [against South Cardiff]. They're leading, six points clear of second [place]. There's a good vibe in the club at the moment, knowing they're playing in the FFA Cup against us. 

"It's a game we have to prepare [for] very seriously. Because from experience we know always there is a surprise [result] and we have to make sure we're not one of them."

FFA Cup Preview: superstars v minnows

New signings Aaron Hughes and Michael Zullo could play at least some part in this FFA Cup game at Magic Park, but there is also a host of absentees for van 't Schip to work around.

Asked for an update on City's missing personal, the Dutchman said: "Robi Koren, Corey Gameiro of course, Jacob Melling, Ben Garuccio, Ivan Franjic. Still a lot of boys unavailable. 

"Injuries from last season, we know, are going to take time. James Brown, David Williams, they're all scheduled for later on to come back.

"Ivan's looking good but it's too early, the game [on Tuesday]. He's going to be in full training when we come back … next week. Same with Marc Marino.

"Robi's also going to be in full training next week. 

"The most important thing for our first league game is to have as many back as possible. It looks like we're almost going to have a full squad when the season starts." 

Given how many first-team players are unavailable, City will not be along among the A-League teams calling up their National Youth League or National Premier League players for Cup action.  

"We'll have some players on the bench from the NPL team," van 't Schip said.

"We'll have Wade Dekker, Phil (Philip Petreski) is going to travel up, Luka (Prelevic), Stefan Zinni and Yaren Sozer."

FOX SPORTS will have a full broadcast of the Match of the Day and will stream all other non-broadcast matches online at  www.foxsports.com.au/football/ffa-cup/ffacupondemand  and Apple TV via FOX SPORTS Now.

* **  For any goal kicked by an amateur or semi-professional club against a Hyundai A-League team during the Westfield FFA Cup, NAB will kick-back $2,500 to the goal-scorer's club.