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Cresswell Hoping to Meet Boyhood Heroes - Ipswich Town News

There may still be the matter of Preston North End being conquered but Town defender Aaron Cresswell’s thoughts are already turning to the possibility of an FA Cup trip to face boyhood favourites Liverpool.

Cresswell comes from a family whose allegiance has always been to the red half of Merseyside and playing at Anfield remains near the top of his football wish-list.

Right now his best opportunity of fulfilling that particular ambition is to help see off Preston in tomorrow’s third round tie at Portman Road, hope that Liverpool also overcome League One opposition in Oldham and that the two clubs are paired together in Sunday’s fourth round draw.

Cresswell, signed in 2011 from Merseyside’s third club, Tranmere, said: "If we get through and draw Liverpool at Anfield, provided I play in the game I will die a happy man. I supported them as a boy and I’ve never played there — well I played there when I was young but not in a proper game.

"I went home the other week and my mum got the old pictures out — my bedroom had a Liverpool bed, Liverpool wallpaper, Liverpool lampshade. It’s a family thing. When I was young my dad used to take me to the games and it has carried on from there.

"My little brother supports them and still goes to the games. He goes to the away games more than anything and tries to have a couple of drinks on the coach while my mum’s not looking.”

When he was young Cresswell and his pals staged their own version of the FA Cup final — it took place in his back garden — and he recalled: "The fence was the goal and I had my little Michael Owen shirt, or Robbie Fowler at the time, pretending I was one of them. I started as a centre-forward, as every kid did.

"What does the FA Cup mean to me? Everything. When you’re a young boy playing in the streets it was always the FA Cup final and it’s great to play in the competition.

"The first final I remember watching was when Michael Owen scored twice for Liverpool against Arsenal, wasn’t it? That was one of the best days of my life when I was a kid, seeing Liverpool win the FA Cup.”

Meanwhile, the Blues are amongst a number of clubs reported to be interested in loaning Hull City winger, Cameron Stewart, who was harshly booked for diving while playing for Charlton at Portman Road on New Year's Day.

Leicester and Leeds have also been linked with the 22-year-old, who was previously mentioned in connection with the Blues in the summer.

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