Curle urges players to seize 'massive opportunity' in FA Cup tie against Derby

The Cobblers host Derby live on BT Sport bidding to reach the fifth round of the competition for the first time since 1970.

"It's a great opportunity for ourselves to showcase what we're about, on the pitch and off the pitch, being able to host a very good Championship club at the PTS Stadium," said Keith Curle.

"It's excitement and we don't shy away from that because we want to build it up and this is a massive opportunity for ourselves to go out and compete against a very good team and a very good football club.

"I think it will be a typical cup tie. We're hosting a good team against two divisions above us and they arguably have the biggest household name in English football in their ranks.

"A lot of people will be coming to see actually just how good he is up close and personal so it'll be a great challenge for the players but one that they're up for.

"We know we have to get so many things right to get a positive result but the beauty of the FA Cup is that we've got a chance because it's 11 v 11 over 95 minutes.

"Referees can make good decisions or bad decisions and I think that's the beauty of it because it's not a foregone conclusion.

"We know that in our changing room and we believe that in our changing room. Nobody is automatically saying we're out of this competition, we've got a chance but we know we have to be on our game throughout the 95 minutes."