Always dangerous to look a game or two ahead of course, but flicking through the BBC this morning I noticed that Bolton are trying to sign Zaha from Palace for 7m. I wondered whether he could potentially play against us in the 5th round if we were to beat Millwall in the replay. Turns out he was rested for their FA Cup game so wouldn't be cup tied. Equally, however, having checked I noticed also that Billy Sharp didn't play for Donny in their FA Cup game, so would be available for us for the cup. Wondered if any of our other supposed transfer targets were rested for the 3rd/4th rounds? anyone know at all?
I always think its a shame when players come into their new club start to settle in and then can't play due to being cup tied. Always a problem with the January transfer window. I can remember the year Fonte joined us along with several other players (can't remember others ) but all were cup tied when we went onto the JPT games and onto Wembley.
Someone on Echo site mentioned rules regarding playing in replays so I checked FA Cup rules. Sharp is eligible to play in the Cup for us but cannot play in replay as he wasn't eligible for the game at the Den. Bummer.
Correct. It's a stupid rule - the fact he can't play against milwall, but could play against bolton if we got there - but hey ho.
Just hope someone at Saints is aware of this. Watched a nonleague side win 6.0 a few years ago just to see them disqualified for playing the wrong player.
I remember some non-league team having a problem with this rule where both goalkeepers got injured between the first game and the replay, they got an emergency loan but he couldn't play. Not sure how they sorted it out.
