West Bromwich Albion stand between Coventry City and a berth in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup after the draw for the fifth round on Monday pitted the Sky Blues with their Midlands rivals.
Michael Mifsud, the prolific Malta striker whose goals are the main reason Coventry have come this far in the world's most glamorous knock-out competition, admitted to having mixed feelings about the outcome of this week's draw.
"I've got mixed feelings about our match-up with West Brom," Mifsud told The Times.
"For sure, it's going to be a very difficult match because it's a local derby. Rivalry aside, I think the two teams are, more or less, on a par."
The prospect of locking horns with West Brom for the third time this season is likely to evoke contrasting memories for Mifsud.
Back in November, the 26-year-old stole the attention for the wrong reasons after he was sent off for a flying elbow in the home match against the Baggies. Coventry crashed to a 4-0 defeat and Mifsud was handed a three-match ban but redemption was not long in coming for him.
On his return from suspension, Mifsud hit a brace as Coventry beat West Brom 4-2 at the latter's ground.
Another memorable double for Mifsud came in the third round of the FA Cup when Coventry pulled off an upset with a 4-1 win at Premier League side Blackburn Rovers. Mifsud was hoping to have another go at a team from the top flight in the fifth round of the FA Cup.
"My wish was for Coventry to get a Premier League team in the fifth round of the FA Cup," Mifsud confessed.
"I mean, it's always interesting to play against the best teams as I like to measure myself against the top."
Did Mifsud crave another clash with Manchester United after his scoring exploits in the League Cup?
"It's not just United. Arsenal and Chelsea were also in the draw and they are great teams as well," he said.
Centre stage
Saturday afternoon at the Ricoh Arena, Mifsud took centre stage after his winning goal in Coventry's FA Cup 2-1 win over Millwall ensured that he went home with the man-of-the-match award.
The following day, at the Westin Hotel in St Julian's, further recognition was bestowed on Mifsud after he was named Sportsman of the Year in the annual Sportivi Nazzjonali contest.
"I'm happy to win this prestigious award," Mifsud said. "Knowing that the people back home appreciate my efforts gives me great satisfaction and added motivation to keep promoting Maltese talent."
Iain Dowie, the Coventry City manager, was glad to hear of Mifsud's nomination as Malta's Sportsman of the Year for 2007.
"It's great for Michael to be named Sportsman of the Year," Dowie told The Times.
"Maltese football has a great ambassador in Michael Mifsud, no doubt. He's surely making a name for himself here as well as for his country."
Mifsud's rising fame in English football has seen him linked with a host of Premier League clubs but with the January transfer window closing tomorrow night, it looks like he's staying put, barring an eleventh-hour, mega offer by one of his touted suitors.
Dowie is anything but perturbed by all the transfer speculation.
"You always want your players to catch the attention of bigger clubs because that means that we're doing something good here," the Coventry manager remarked.
"I'm honest with my players (about interest from other clubs) and I've had no enquiries about Michael so far.
However, there's still some days left before the deadline and who knows what might happen."