Scunthorpe boss Nigel Adkins is out to draw on the history of the FA Cup as they plot a fourth-round shock when Manchester City visit on Sunday.

The struggling Championship outfit welcome Roberto Mancini's multi-million pound stars to Glanford Park aiming to follow in the footsteps of Reading and Leeds, who have reignited the spirit of the famous competition this season by dumping out Liverpool and Manchester United respectively.

The Iron will be in no doubt as to the size of the task that awaits them, though, as they have already been on the wrong end of a City thrashing this season, after the Blues - still managed by Mark Hughes at the time - registered a 5-1 win in the fourth round of the Carling Cup in October.

City were on their home patch that night, though, and Adkins is keen for his side to take full advantage that the tight surroundings of Glanford Park will have to offer.

"On paper Manchester City should beat Scunthorpe United. On grass they have already beaten us," said Adkins, referring to the Carling Cup clash.

"Although we did get the tie to a 1-1 draw at one stage. But in the second half the quality of players that City have got obviously told and they were worthy winners in that game.

"But we're at home. It's the beauty, the drama and the history of the FA Cup and one we can all look forward to."

Defender David Mirfin, who claimed a Premier League scalp in the cup when playing for Huddersfield against Birmingham a couple of seasons ago, is expecting that Mancini will take the competition seriously, despite him already intimating that in-form striker Carlos Tevez will not feature.

"I'm sure Mancini will have been told by the English staff how important the FA Cup is, but he knows what his priorities are and he's got players good enough if he chooses to change it," Mirfin told the Scunthorpe Telegraph.

"They might have one eye on the Carling Cup, but then they've got two international squads they could probably put out."