Tyler relishing Canaries clash

Mark Tyler's football career will have come full circle when Luton face Norwich in the FA Cup.

Last Updated: 25/01/13 at 14:44 Post Comment

Norwich-born Tyler began his career with his hometown club as a schoolboy in the late 1980s but the goalkeeper was released by the Canaries at the age of 15.

Soon afterwards he joined the youth set-up at nearby Peterborough and went on to carve out a career at London Road, making over 400 appearances during a 15-year stay at the club.

In 2009 he moved on to Luton, and Saturday's fourth-round tie will be the first time he has actually played at Carrow Road.

The 35-year-old is looking forward to the occasion.

"It will be special," Tyler said. "Really, it's going back to where it all began when I was nine.

"My mum and dad used to take me up to Norwich and I would stand behind the goal on a milk crate and watch Bryan Gunn. It was brilliant.

"We used to go to every home game, and then when I started playing football I got spotted and it all started from there.

"I would have loved it to work out at Norwich but it wasn't to be.

"But it will be a great day for me and my whole family.

"My younger brother has played at Carrow Road for the school and my older brother, I think, for Cambridge. I've been a substitute there when I went on loan to Hull, so I'm the only one who hasn't played on the pitch.

"Maybe it's fate or something, because the draw was quite scary. After Dorchester, I thought it would be nice to play Peterborough. But they drew Norwich, so then after Norwich got through and we beat Wolves I thought it would be nice to get them.

"I had literally just turned over the television and Norwich came out. Then, all of a sudden, it was us and I was jumping up and down in the living room."

Just as they did against Wolves in the previous round, Tyler insists Luton will be able to play without pressure.

"Most of the time in the Conference we are the team that everyone wants to beat, so it was an unusual situation for us against Wolves," said Tyler. "But we had a game plan against them and we were quietly confident.

"We'll be big underdogs again against Norwich but it could work in our favour.

"Obviously Norwich have to come and score the goals. The onus is on them to make sure they don't slip up. We have nothing to lose.

"They have some excellent players and it's going to be very difficult, but the FA Cup is a special competition and hopefully we can spring a surprise."

Midfielder JJ O'Donnell will return to the Luton squad following a broken nose, while striker Jon Shaw is also expected to be fit after a foot injury.

The only players who are expected to be unavailable to manager Paul Buckle are defender Simon Ainge and winger Scott Neilson - both are cup-tied.

Luton are appearing in the fourth round of the FA Cup for the first time in six years.

The two clubs last met in a Championship fixture in February 2007. The Hatters, hindered by financial problems and heavy points deductions, went on to suffer three consecutive relegations to the Conference.

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