GARY Bowyer has confessed that he is still fully invested in the romance of the FA Cup, saying his Bradford City players can use the club's run in 2015 as inspiration.

Many managers might be tempted to allow the cup to take a back seat when fighting for promotion, but not Bowyer, who is keen for the Bantams to go far.

He said: "I'm getting old aren't I because I love the FA Cup. We've got to try and build memories on Saturday (at Shrewsbury Town) because that's what this competition does. They stay with you for the rest of your life.

"This club knows it, with the success it's had in different competitions, and with the FA Cup game at Chelsea. Pictures of that game are in the dining room as a reminder for the players when we get closer to kick off."

Asked about the merits of a good cup run, Bowyer added: "The obvious benefit is finances, in terms of getting through each round, and hopefully to a game which captures a TV audience.

"But the spirit too. It builds up in the whole city and that's massive. The spotlight then goes on the players and it's a great opportunity for them to get people from higher leagues interested.

"I don't have a problem with that. It's a better environment when you've got people striving to play as high as they can.

"This competition gives them the opportunity to cast that net a little wider. We want to put a performance on on Saturday and be competitive, as we have done all season."

The Bantams did the double over Shrewsbury last season, but Bowyer dismissed that that would be a factor tomorrow.

He said: "It will be a tough test. They're well coached and they've got good players there, ones with know how like David Edwards.

"There's a few others that possess a threat going forward like (Jason) Cummings and (Shaun) Whalley so it's going to be a difficult game for sure but one we're really looking forward to.

"You have situations where clubs have a good record against others, or a player who always scores against a certain club but in relation to last season, it's two completely different squads."

"They're obviously a League One club this year and we all know what happened to us."

Bowyer said that next Saturday's League Two postponement at Colchester United has pleased Matty Palmer and Jordan Gibson, who are nearing full fitness.

He suggested Shay McCartan and Jake Reeves won't play tomorrow, but that the latter may feature against Rochdale in the Leasing.com Trophy next week.

Finally, Bowyer lauded Dylan Connolly for the relationship he has built with supporters during his loan spell from AFC Wimbledon and said he was hoping to have the exciting winger involved at some point tomorrow.