OLDHAM Athletic have an important game in League Two to play before attention switches to the FA Cup, but Keith Curle’s team talk ahead of their first round tie away to Ipswich Town has already been done.

Latics were handed one of the toughest ties possible at this stage of the competition when ball number 30 was paired with Ipswich’s number 22 - the latter coming out first.

But when asked for his thoughts on the draw, Ipswich boss Paul Cook had his sights set way beyond that.

“For me as a manager I’d love to get to the third round and I’d love us to get Norwich at home. I think that would be great for us all,” said the former Wigan Athletic boss.

In response, when asked for his reaction to the draw, Latics head coach Curle said: "I'm slightly disappointed with their manager Cooky, who I know quite well, talking about who he wants in the third round.

“I'm thinking that's probably a bit dismissive of us. But that’s part of my motivational speech to the players before the game.

“I know Cooky and I understand what he’s saying.

"There are some big clubs in that division. I think Ipswich will need a cup run or a couple of cup results. Cooky wants that game against a Norwich to ignite their season as well, to create an interest. If you have a look at Ipswich with their history and their heritage there's no way they should be where they are.”

Ipswich currently sit 10th in League One after overcoming a slow start to the season to win three out of their last four.

“We'll have to be on our mettle that day and we need the luck that the FA Cup can bring you but you've got to be ready to be lucky as well,” Curle continued.

"The FA Cup throws up some unbelievable results.

“That’s the beauty of the FA Cup, there are no guarantees.

“A lot of their players will look at Oldham, the situation we’re in in the league and they’ll have heard all about things that have been going on at the football club (protests), but we’ll be organised, we’ll have a game plan and we’ll execute it.”

It is 24 years since the sides last met, when they were second tier opponents in what was then called Division One, a few years before it was rebranded as the Championship.

Their last trip to Portman Road ended in a 4-0 win for Ipswich in April 1997.

Latics last away win against Ipswich came in the Premiership in January 1993, when goals from Mark Brennan and Paul Bernard secured a 2-1 win.