Luton Town v Brentford
The FA Cup, Third Round
Kenilworth Road
08 January 2005

Brentford striker Deon Burton is hoping to rediscover the magic of The FA Cup, eight years after he first tasted it!

The Jamaican international has graced the Premiership with Derby County and Portsmouth and has also played for Barnsley, Stoke, Walsall and Swindon.

But he hasn't had much luck in The FA Cup since starting with a bang in 1997.

The striker reached the quarter-finals in only his second ever FA Cup match - and scored in Pompey's 4-1 defeat against Chelsea.

But since then he has managed only ten more Cup appearances - two of them this season.

"That game early in my career was probably my most memorable FA Cup match so far," he said. "But it would be great to have a few more.

"FA Cup games are such big occasions and the players still get excited about it.

"I don't see it as a distraction. You look forward to big occasions in the Cup and there are a few experienced players at Brentford who know what it's about.

"Going away to Luton isn't an easy tie for us but we're still confident. We beat them convincingly in the League at Griffin Park recently. We were well on top when they had 11 men and we finished them off well when they had a man sent off.

"I'm sure they will want revenge - and they are a good side. But we know we have what it takes to go there and win."

Burton is one of the biggest names in League One and is joined at Griffin Park by two more hugely experienced stars.

Former Crystal Palace and England winger John Salako (below) is expected to start at Luton this weekend, while evergreen striker Steve Claridge recently joined the club on a short-term contract at the age of 38.

"We've got a good mixture of youth and experience and that will serve us well in The Cup," said Burton, who played one match in Portsmouth's run to the Sixth Round last season.

Brentford go into the game against high-flying Luton without injured winger Alex Rhodes, who twisted his knee in the recent League victory over Walsall.

But after fighting their way to the Third Round via a penalty shootout against Bristol City and a nervy replay against non-League Hinckley, the Bees are determined to go further.

"It wasn't the best draw for us but it's a big challenge and you can't get a bigger incentive than a place in the Fourth Round," said Burton. "Who knows who we could get then?"

Another tie against Chelsea, just like in 1997, would certainly leave the Jamaican - and Brentford's bank manager - very happy indeed!