WORRALL SETS SIGHTS ON FA CUP SUCCESS

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Defender looks ahead to Saturday's fifth round tie with Preston

2025-02-28T13:00:00.000Z

WORRALL SETS SIGHTS ON FA CUP SUCCESS

Defender looks ahead to Saturday's fifth round tie with Preston

2025-02-28T13:00:00.000Z

Defender looks ahead to Saturday's fifth round tie with Preston

Over nine years ago, Joe Worrall made his professional debut in football at 18-years-old on loan at Dagenham & Redbridge from Nottingham Forest, in an FA Cup third-round tie against Everton.

Fast forward over 500 games later and with a wealth of experience under his belt, Worrall is no stranger to the competition having reached the last eight with Forest three years ago and the 28-year-old has his sights set on achieving that with the Clarets this weekend.

Speaking to the media ahead of the Emirates FA Cup fifth round tie at Deepdale, Worrall said: “It sounds pretty good to be honest being one win away from an FA Cup quarter-final.

“We’re well aware of what that means to the Club, the supporters, the financial side of it and the exposure, we know what it means and we’re looking forward to it.”

The defender continued: “I experienced a similar sort of situation when I was at Forest a couple of years ago, when we were pushing to get out of the Championship, we had a great cup run and reached the quarter-finals.

“It feels very similar to where we are now here at Burnley, the cup run sort of mirrors and correlates the league form. We’re playing very well in the Championship, scoring goals and we’re looking to continue doing that in the cup.”

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Head Coach Scott Parker made 11 changes when the Clarets faced Reading back in January, before making eight in the last round at Southampton and Worrall says that's down to the whole squad being 'ready' when called upon.

“It just shows you that the manager, the coaches and the players as a collective are doing the right things.

“I think it’s by the by who plays, it’s a really hard XI to break into with how well the lads have been playing and that’s something that’s really encouraging to be a part of and having those not playing pushing and driving the team on.

“You have to be at that level and when called upon be ready to get into the action and that’s what we have all managed to do so far.”

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The Clarets faced North End just two weeks ago at Deepdale in the Sky Bet Championship and despite dominating throughout and creating a handful of chances, the game finished goalless.

Worrall admitted although there was disappointment to not come away with the three points, he has full faith and praise for the forward players within the team.

“We had some big chances, if we’re being honest that’s what has let us down this season, those final moments in the final third and we’re well aware of that.

“It can be frustrating at times, but the players that we have Lyle, Zian, Luca, Jaidon, Barnesy, they score for fun in training and have shown across their careers and games this season that they can.

“There are times when sometimes it just doesn’t happen, but it would be more of a concern if we weren’t creating the chances, it’s time to start smashing them in and I’m more than sure they will.”