Barnet assistant coach Gary Waddock says Saturday’s FA Cup first round tie at home to Blackpool offers the Bees a chance to measure themselves against a League One outfit.

Pool are currently 20th following relegation from the Championship last season; an improved run of form pulling Neil McDonald’s men out of the relegation zone in recent weeks only to lose back-to-back fixtures against Bury and Bradford City.

However, both sides will put their respective league seasons aside for the weekend to kick off their FA Cup campaigns.

And after beating League One side Millwall in the first round of the League Cup, Waddock hopes to see Barnet come up favourably against the Tangerines.

He told Bees Player: "They will be looking at the fixture and the competition to try to progress as well.

“It’s going to be a difficult game but it’s one we’re looking forward to and it’s one where we can set our sights and compare ourselves against a League One team.”

Waddock played in the 1982 FA Cup Final for Queens Park Rangers against Tottenham Hotspur with the R’s losing 1-0 in a replay against Keith Burkinshaw’s men.

Thirty-three years later the former QPR boss insists the competition remains important to himself and head coach Martin Allen.

He said: “The FA Cup is always special so it’s a game we’re looking forward. Blackpool are a league higher than us so it’s very high on our list of priorities.”

Waddock added: “Once the draw has been made we’re looking forward to that fixture. Fortunately for us we’re at home playing a team in a higher division.

"We want to get into the next round of the FA Cup draw if we possibly can and it gives that nice feel and buzz about the place.”

Midfielder Curtis Weston, who became the youngest finalist in 2004 with Millwall, is adamant the tie represents an opportunity for Barnet to reach round two for the first time in four years.

He said: "It’s a winnable game for us. We’re looking at winning the game and pushing through the rounds. We’re excited for that and looking forward to it.

"It would be brilliant for us to get a win against a team in that league, to kick on from there and, more importantly, keep the run going.

"We’re four games unbeaten now – three wins and a draw – to get another win or a good result would do us good for our confidence.

"You want to play in the FA Cup because it’s a great competition, so if we can kick on and get through a couple of rounds, we’d be buzzing."

The Bees will be without defensive duo Bira Demble and Sam Muggleton after they suffered knee injuries which are expected to rule them out for up to five weeks.

Goalkeeper Graham Stack is sidelined with a long term groin issue too. Striker Kevin Lisbie is also expected to be a couple of weeks from a return. But there is better news regarding forward Shaun Batt, who is fit to be involved once more following fitness concerns.

Blackpool will be without Bolton Wanderers loanee Hayden White after he limped off with a hamstring problem against Braford on Tuesday.

Pool’s only long term absentee is Lloyd Jones, on loan from Liverpool, whilst Kwame Thomas – on loan from Derby County – has been given permission to play in the FA Cup.