JOE SKARZ was confirmed as a first-round starter today as boss Peter Jackson told Town: "We need a good Cup run."

The 17-year-old left-back , who followed his League debut by playing for the Under 18s in the Youth Cup, will again deputise for suspended Danny Adams against in-form Blackpool.

Jackson's line-up for Saturday's Galpharm clash, however, will depend on the fitness of striker Andy Booth (knee) who was again absent from the main training session today.

Booth has been jogging and receiving treatment from physio Lee Martin, but he'll be put through his paces tomorrow with a view to facing Simon Grayson's side, who had four wins and two draws in their last six League I outings.

"It's touch and go with Boothy, but he's improving and I'm hoping he's going to be fine," said Jacko, who has Luke Beckett and Pawel Abbott standing by.

"This is a very important tie for us in terms of our home form and also because we slipped out of the Carling Cup and Johnstone's Paint Trophy at the first hurdle and we don't want to make it a hat trick.

"Also, it's vital financially that we progress and we all know the incentives from what happened last season when we played Chelsea (third round)."

On Skarz he added: "Joe did really well on debut, used the ball well and he'll definitely start."