Lowestoft Town joint manager Micky Chapman is looking forward to pitting his wits against Paul Tong's Kirkley side.

Lowestoft Town joint manager Micky Chapman intends to ring the changes for tonight’s Suffolk Premier Cup quarter-final with neighbours Kirkley and Pakefield at Crown Meadow – but there is no way he will be taking the tie lightly.

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The Blues go into the derby encounter with a gruelling sequence of Ryman League matches behind them, culminating in Saturday’s hard-fought 2-1 win at Horsham that took the Blues back to the top of the Premier Division table. With plenty of tired legs in the squad a number of regulars will be rested this evening as some fringe players are given a chance to impress. But Chapman made one thing abundantly clear as he looked ahead to the fixture – it’s a game he wants to win.

“I won’t lie, the Suffolk Premier Cup is not our priority this season. The league will always come first but that doesn’t mean we don’t want to make progress in this competition,” he said.

“Obviously the fact that we are playing Kirkley makes the game that extra bit special. It’s always been a big fixture for people in Lowestoft and I should imagine there will be a decent crowd.

“We will be making a few changes, that’s for sure. A number of players will be rested and some of the lads who haven’t been playing regularly will get a game. There will be a few youngsters in the squad too.

“But whatever side we put out we will be going all out to win the game, it’s as simple as that.”

Chapman is looking forward to pitting his wits against Paul Tong’s Kirkley side, who go into tonight’s tie in good heart after an excellent 4-2 victory over Wisbech Town in the Ridgeons League Premier Division on Saturday.

“I have always had a lot of time for Tongy,” he said. “He is a very experienced manager and has done an excellent job since taking over at Kirkley, just as I knew he would. We’ll be giving his side every respect, that’s for sure.”

There is also Norfolk Senior Cup action tonight, with Gorleston playing host to Diss Town in a quarter-final replay. The Tangerines came from two goals down to draw 2-2 on Saturday.