BLACKBURN Rovers boss Gary Bowyer is relishing the prospect of taking on Manchester City in the FA Cup after his side were drawn at home to last season’s runners-up in the third round.

The tie, which will be played over the weekend of January 5-6 and could be shown live on television, bring together six-time winners Rovers and five-time winners City.

But it will be City, whose Premier League squad is packed full of world-class players, who will be favourites for the Ewood Park encounter.

Upbeat Bowyer, however, sees it as the perfect opportunity for Championship Rovers to test themselves against the best.

Bowyer said: “It’s a fantastic tie for our supporters and also for our players as they will be pitching themselves up against some world-class players.

“We’ve got league fixtures before the tie, which in our eyes are far more important, but at the end of a busy Christmas period it is something the fans and players will be able to look forward to.

“It’s going to be a fantastic atmosphere. Manchester City’s supporters are notorious for travelling well and creating an atmosphere and no doubt they will fill all our away end.

“It will be great to get Ewood Park full and rocking and it should be a fantastic game against a fantastic football club.”

Rovers beat City 2-0 at Ewood, thanks to goals from Aaron Mokoena and Matt Derbyshire, the last time the teams met in the FA Cup in the 2006-07 quarter-finals.

Rovers – who made the last eight of last year’s competition – were then knocked out in the semi-finals by eventual winners Chelsea.

City lost last year’s final to Wigan Athletic.