Cup challenge energises Wise

Twice a winner
Ex-England midfielder Dennis Wise lifted the trophy twice during his eleven years at Stamford Bridge, before departing the club in 2001. As player-manager he then guided Millwall FC to the 2004 final, but had an unsuccessful spell at Southampton FC before surprisingly signing for Coventry City FC on a pay-as-you-play basis last month.

Cup focus
The 39-year-old, a UEFA Cup Winners' Cup winner in 1998, has since exceeded expectations by scoring four goals in three consecutive victories, propelling the Sky Blues into the top half of the first division, with the possibility of a late charge for Premiership promotion. However, the focus tonight is the FA Cup and the trip to top-flight strugglers Middlesbrough FC, who were fortunate to escape with a 1-1 draw eleven days ago.

'Nothing to lose'
Wise was suspended for that contest but should start in midfield at the Riverside. He is hoping his cup experience will pay dividends for his new side. "I've been involved in five FA Cup finals, which is a wonderful thing for me," Wise said. "It's going to be difficult but we are playing very well at the moment and we are confident. We've got nothing to lose and they have an awful lot to lose and I think they know that."

Happy at home
Unlike Middlesbrough, beaten 4-0 by visiting Aston Villa FC at the weekend, Chelsea will be confident of making home advantage count against Everton after a 1-1 draw on Merseyside. Having won the Premiership and English League Cup in his first season, manager José Mourinho is eager for success in England's other major competition. On a cautionary note, however, Everton are one of only four teams to have held - or defeated - the champions in the Premiership this term.