CHRIS Lucketti has the chance to prove he is destined for better things on Tuesday night.

Bury's £500,000-rated centre half went a long way to showing that Crystal Palace were right in believing he can live in the First Division when he outplayed Sheffield United star striker Nathan Blake at Bramall Lane ten days ago.

A repeat show in the Coca-Cola Cup second round second leg at Gigg Lane would enhance the 23-year-old's growing reputation and give Bury a fighting chance of turning around a 2-1 deficit from the first game.

Lucketti, a bargain £50,000 signing from Halifax Town two years ago, has become one of the hottest properties in the lower divisions and admits he is relishing the chance to prove himself against a man rated at £2million.

"It's always nice to pit your wits against higher division players and I'm looking forward to meeting up with him again," he says.

"He's tricky and sharp as well as being big and strong and I was happy with my performance against him in the first game. Hopefully I can do as well again."

Lucketti believes the Shakers can overturn the first leg deficit after their impressive display at Bramall Lane when they were unlucky to have a draw snatched away by a freak late goal.

"We played well at their place and I'm confidence we can do it on Tuesday night. With the away goal to our credit all we need is a 1-0 win and we'll be in the hat for the next round.

"They are a big club and there should be a good crowd and a cracking atmosphere. If we can do it we'll be looking for another big club - the bigger the better.

"The league is our main priority but the cups generate a lot of finance which is important to the club and the players get a chance to compete against supposedly better players."

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