NEW Stockport County boss Dave Challinor says his side’s FA Cup tie against Wanderers is “a massive opportunity.”

Challinor – who made 87 appearances for the Hatters as a player - took charge at Edgeley Park earlier this week following Simon Rusk’s departure.

His first task is to try to cause an upset when Stockport make the short journey to the UniBol in the FA Cup first round proper on Sunday afternoon.

Challinor admits the Whites are strong favourites but says the tie is a chance for his players to make a statement as they aim to win promotion back to the Football League.

“It’s a massive opportunity,” he told the club’s YouTube channel. “You look at what the club aspires to be and what the players aspire to be, it’s a good marker of where we are currently.

“It will be my first insight of what the squad is and what the players are, but it’s a big opportunity for them.

“From the outside, you go there as huge underdogs. I know we’ve got characters in the dressing room that are winners, they won’t be thinking of going to Bolton and lying down.

“In the brief time we’ve got, we have to put a plan together and tweak things a little bit, but there aren’t going to be wholesale changes.

“We’ll go there with a good squad of players and a plan and try to progress into the next round of the FA Cup and cause an upset.

“Who knows what that brings - not only for the football club in terms of finances and profile - but for people to see this squad is one that can really push forward and have a successful season.”

Wanderers have won all three previous meetings between the sides in the FA Cup.

Ian Evatt’s men will be looking to go further than last season when they fell at the first hurdle following a 3-2 defeat against Crewe Alexandra.

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