MORECAMBE hope to pull off one of the most remarkable giant killing feat in their FA Cup history on Saturday at first division giants Ipswich Town.

More than 1,000 supporters are expected to make the five-hour journey to East Anglia to see the Shrimps take on one of the most famous clubs in British Football.

Ipswich - former league champions, FA cup winners and conquerors of Europe in the UEFA cup - are bossed by Joe Royle, who took Everton to cup glory as recently as 1995.

Morecambe go into the game enjoying a good run of league form.

Before a narrow defeat at Halifax on Saturday, Jim Harvey's side had enjoyed two straight victories as well as their impressive cup form.

Fans who are considering making the trip still have time to make their arrangements.

Tickets will remain on sale at Christie Park until 1pm today (Thursday).

Remaining tickets will be returned to Portman Road and will be available from Ipswich Town FC or on the gate on Saturday.

Officials from both clubs expect to have no problems accommodating all fans wanting to see the game.

Tickets are priced at £18 for adults, £10 for concessions and £2 for children.

On offer to the winning team is a £50,000 cash incentive as well as the chance to pull out another big club in the fourth round draw, which returns to its traditional 1pm Monday time slot.

Morecambe will be wearing their traditional red shirts on Saturday, though a new set of black shorts will also be used to avoid a colour clash.

Ipswich have come to specialise in defeating Conference opposition in the cup.

After their comprehensive 3-0 victory at Christie Park in 2001, they found themselves drawn at Dagenham and Redbridge and recorded a 4-1 victory.

Their recent form has seen them recover from an appalling start to the season - they now occupy 14th place in the first division.

If a replay is needed, it will take place at Christie Park on January 15.

One player who could be in line for a Shrimps debut this weekend will be former Welsh under-21 international Alan Morgan.

Morgan, a versatile player who can play in midfield or at full back, put pen to paper on Friday after spending most of his career at Tranmere, where his opportunities were limited.

He signed for Doncaster in the summer but failed to settle and was released to join a club closer to his Liverpool home.

In other news from Christie Park, Morecambe are also preparing for a Lancashire Cup first round game against Darwen on Monday.