CITY skipper Stephen Darby admits facing Reading in the FA Cup on Saturday will bring back memories from his Liverpool days.

Darby made only two starts during his six years as a pro with the Reds – and the last of them was in a cup clash at the Madejski Stadium.

The teams drew 1-1 in the third round in 2010 and Darby played the full game alongside the likes of Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher.

He said: “It was obviously a nerve-wracking time for me. I was only a young lad and wanted to do well but it was a good experience.

“It always helps to have the likes of Carragher, Gerrard and Dirk Kuyt, all world-class players, beside you. They were a great help for the younger lads.

“With Carragher it was just like having a commentator on the pitch. He’d talk everyone through the game and where they need to be.

“As you see now on Sky, he loves the game and knows everything about it. But that’s why he was such a top-quality defender for years.”

Five years on, Darby will be one of the cup veterans as the Bantams head into the club’s first quarter-final appearance in 39 years in front of an expectant Valley Parade.

With another sell-out home crowd behind them, Darby did not mind missing out on an emotional reunion against the team that he still supports.

“It would have been nice to play Liverpool but to have a draw at home again is great,” said the Bantams captain.

“The atmosphere against Sunderland was unbelievable and I’m sure it’s going to be bouncing again on Saturday. We know the fans will be brilliant.

“It would be a great achievement for us all to get back to Wembley. But we can’t really think about what’s at the end of it.

“We’ve got to focus on what we need to do to get through Saturday’s game and get the right result.”

The bookmakers cannot split City and Reading – and some are even classing the Championship visitors as the outsiders. But Darby insists that nobody in the home dressing room will see themselves as favourites.

“The longer you stay in the competition, you do start to think about getting nearer to Wembley obviously,” he said.

“But you’ve got to be professional and not worry about the odds or what the bookies might think. Reading are a team from the division above with a lot of experienced players.”

Midfield anchorman Gary Liddle will be available again after his ban – but having beaten Crawley after making seven changes, Darby feels no place in the City team is guaranteed.

He said: “Gaz has been absolutely brilliant for us since signing in the summer. But it’s not a given that anyone’s going to start the game.

“The strength in depth we’ve got keeps everyone on their toes. Tuesday’s result proves the quality of the squad.

“There are lads who haven’t played as much football as they would like. It would be easy for them to get frustrated but they haven’t.

“They work their socks off in training and have been patient for their chance – and now they’ve taken it. That shows we’ve got healthy competition for places.

“They’ve shown a really good attitude. Whether the lads are playing or on the bench and not involved, everyone is pulling in the right direction. We all want the same thing and that shows the team spirit.”