CRAWLEY are dreaming of following in the footsteps of the City “history makers”.

Gabriele Cioffi’s side are building up towards a Carabao Cup home clash with Colchester for a place in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals.

That will guarantee a team from League Two in the last eight, conjuring up memories of the unbelievable achievement of Phil Parkinson’s Bantams seven seasons ago.

Crawley’s Broadfield Stadium is already sold out for the game – the fifth time that has happened in the club’s Football League era.

That has already happened earlier this season when they knocked out Premier League side Norwich. Stoke have also fallen victim to the Red Devils.

And with a record of scoring in every League Two game this season, they present a real danger to City’s bid to make it three wins on the bounce.

Crawley’s cup success has meant a hectic schedule but they have enjoyed a rare free week to prepare for a first meeting with City since 2015.

Italian Cioffi said: “My feeling on this squad is that they are fast learners but they need to work on the training ground.

"When you play a lot of games in a row you think that you know what you have to do but in reality you're not doing it.

"Going back to a full week with a daily routine has helped us a lot."

Cioffi has been in charge at the Sussex club for 13 months since taking over from Harry Kewell.

The 44-year-old’s first experience in England was during a four-month stint at Birmingham where he was part of Gianfranco Zola’s coaching staff.

Cioffi may be a former defender but he likes his team to go out and express themselves.

“We know now we are a brave squad,” he added.

“We are a brave squad that runs free like horses. They're not meant to be in the stable.

"If you run with idea and skill, I think in most games we are going to win."