Chand and deliver

Magnet Tavern manager John Chand is hoping his side can tame favourites Hetton Lyons in The FA Carlsberg Sunday Cup Final at Anfield this weekend.

The Final could see the star in Tavern's ranks - former Leicester and Aston Villa striker Julian Joachim - make a surprise return to Anfield for the Boston club.

Almost ten years after narrowly missing out on FA Cup glory in Villa's 1-0 loss to Chelsea in the 2000 Final, Joachim could lift the Sunday Cup, if his side can overcome two-time winners Hetton Lyons. But despite his Premier League pedigree, Lyons boss Chand has warned that, although it would be an intriguing prospect were he to make an appearance, not even Joachim is assured of a starting place on Sunday.

"It would be strange for him if he makes The Final, especially as Julian has played at Wembley for Villa. But I have to pick a team from a squad of players, and Julian is one of the players in contention," claimed Chand.

Joachim, who Villa signed in a £1.6 million deal in 1996, has over 100 League goals to his name and bagged a brace in the 3-1 quarter-final win over Lebeq Tavern Courage. But it has been the former Premier League player's attitude that his impressed Chand most.

"Julian goes about his business quietly, and shuns the limelight really, but I wouldn't say he is the most important player in the team," he added. "He is a member of the squad. He as started the last two or three rounds, played well and scored some important goals."

And it will be goals that Chand will need if his side are to prevent the Lyons from lifting a record-breaking third trophy in five years.

"From what we know and from what we have seen of Hetton Lyons, coming out and defending for 90 minutes is just not going to happen. They'll pick you off and they'll punish you," admitted Chand.

"It is a massive ask for us and I've got nothing but admiration for what Bradley Groves and Hetton Lyons have done," he added.

But Chand, whose squad includes a number of Liverpool fans, knows his players are up for the challenge, and is confident of causing an upset.

"It really is a massive achievement for the lads and we are all looking forward to it. After the Semi-Final, it is something the players have not stopped thinking about.

"We are confident we have put a side together capable of challenging anyone and we will not be in awe of them."