STEVE Wilkes wants his Northwich Victoria side to take advantage of any lack of match sharpness in FA Cup opponents Prescot Cables on Saturday.

Vics have played six games in league and cup so far this season whereas their higher-ranked opponents have contested just the two league games.

Cables play in the BetVictor Northern Premier League North West Division – one tier higher than Vics – but Wilkes hopes his side’s extra fitness could be a leveller.

“You could say they’re under pressure because they’re in the league above and they’re expected to win, but we’re under pressure because we’re at home,” he told the Guardian.

“I don’t look at it like that – I just look at trying to get my strongest 11 out and getting a performance from them.

“It will be a tough game – they’ve lost a few players and their manager in the summer.

“We might be a bit fitter than them as they only played their first league game on Saturday whereas we’ve played a few more.

“That is something that could fall in our favour.

“Every player loves playing in the FA Cup – I certainly did when I was a player.

“As a kid I would watch all the build-up on cup final day and everything.

“At this level, winning a couple of games in the FA Cup is huge financially.”

In terms of team news, Wilkes is hopeful of having striker Rob Doran available for the game at Wincham Park.

The frontman limped off with a knee injury in the early stages of Saturday’s 2-0 win over Skelmersdale United and was due to miss the trip to Runcorn Town last night, Wednesday.

Vics went into the Runcorn game sat fourth in the North West Counties League Premier Division table having won two of their three games.

However, Wilkes insists his side have not yet hit their straps and shown what they are capable of.

“It’s funny because we don’t think we’ve played well yet, which I suppose is a good sign,” he said.

We’re doing well in the league and through in the FA Cup so we can’t grumble. We’re perfectionists, though, and we haven’t hit our straps yet.

“We’ve played well in patches – 15 or 20 minutes here and there – but we haven’t sustained it for 45 minutes or an hour yet.

“Players still aren’t up to scratch on fitness, which is in every team not just ours.”

Kick off on Saturday is at 3pm.

Vics are also slated to host Litherland REMYCA in the Premier Division on Monday, kick off 3pm.