TRY telling Chris Casement the FA Cup has become a second rate competition.The Ipswich youngster is in line to face Swansea in tomorrow's fourth round tie and said: “It will be the biggest game of my career.

By Mel Henderson

TRY telling Chris Casement the FA Cup has become a second rate competition.

The Ipswich youngster is in line to face Swansea in tomorrow's fourth round tie and said: “It will be the biggest game of my career.”

Casement, who was 19 recently, is in line for a place in what will be a makeshift back four due to injury and suspension.

With skipper Jason de Vos, Alex Bruce and David Wright all absent, the Belfast-born player has a chance to make a name for himself.

He said: “First and foremost I'm a central defender, but it's the same old story - I'll play anywhere at the back if it means getting into the team.

“I have filled in at right back in the past and I played in the last round as a substitute against Chester.

“But if I face Swansea it will definitely be the highlight of my career so far.

“As a kid growing up in Northern Ireland you watch all the big games on the box - the FA Cup final is the one that sticks out - but you never really think that one day you will be out there playing yourself.”

Casement was a regular member of the Town side that one the FA Youth Cup two seasons ago and is proud of that achievement.

He added: “That's a nice medal to have and I hope I can go on and win other honours in my career.

“At the moment I am still finding my feet. There is an awful lot more I have to learn and things I have to work on to make me a better all round player.”

It was previous manager Joe Royle who gave the youngster his debut and fellow countryman Jim Magilton, since taking over in the hot seat, is continuing his education.

Casement said: “I'll always be grateful to Joe but you can't stand still in football. You have to move on and keep looking to get better and better.

“I learned a lot at academy level from all the coaches and I feel my football education is in good hands with Jim and Bryan Klug.

“The Swansea game is massive for us because we want to get into the hat for the fifth round and see who we come up against.

“But Swansea are in the same boat. They are one of League One's better sides and their 3-0 win at Sheffield United in the last round speaks for itself.

“We are being told that we will need to be at our best on the day. We don't want to be on the wrong end of another shock.”