THE FA Cup has been a good competition so far for Jack Hunt, and he’s aiming to help carve out another happy memory today.
The 22-year-old made a high-profile full debut last time Town appeared in round four, against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium two years ago.
Arsene Wenger’s Gunners were given a tough test, with Alan Lee cancelling out captain Peter Clarke’s own goal before Cesc Fabregas eliminated Lee Clark’s side with a late penalty.
Hunt, who had just returned from a productive loan spell at Chesterfield when he faced Arsenal, missed last season’s 4-1 first-round loss at Swindon.
But he figured in the 1-0 third-round victory over Charlton at The Valley earlier this month which set up today’s first-ever FA Cup meeting between Town and Leicester.
“The FA Cup has been good for me to date,” said the highly-rated right-back who was given a midfield role by Simon Grayson in the 4-0 Championship loss at Watford which turned out to be the manager’s last at the helm.
“I’ll never forget the Arsenal game, and what’s happened in terms of my career since then has been amazing, really.”
That win at Charlton was the sole success in the last 13 games for Town, who are back on Championship duty at home to Crystal Palace next Wednesday.
“It would be great to have a good cup run, and there’s no doubt beating Leicester would give us a major boost when we get back to league games,” added Hunt.
“Our defeat down at Leicester (Town lost 6-1 on New Year’s Day) has been talked about a lot, and it’s strange that we’re playing them again.
“We know it’s important that we put on a much-improved show in front of our own supporters, and we’re desperate to give them a win to cheer.”
Palace’s FA Cup defeat by Stoke means they have a blank weekend ahead of Wednesday’s trip North.
