IT’S seconds out, round three for Bury versus Wigan this weekend as David Flitcroft dreams of downing the “mighty” Latics in the first round of the FA Cup.

The Shakers have already knocked Gary Caldwell’s men out of the Capital One Cup at the same stage earlier this season.

And they looked on course to beat them in League One before Chris Hussey’s red card opened the door for the Latics to score two late goals and steal a point.

Now the Lancashire rivals prepare to go head-to-head at Gigg Lane in what Flitcroft describes as the “best competition in the world”.

"Just to even compete with this Wigan team fills me full of pride, especially in the FA Cup,” he said, almost in awe of a side that won the FA Cup in 2013 and were beaten semi-finalists the following season.

"I think their chairman has already gone out there and told everyone his budget is 10 times what everyone else's is in this league.

"So that is the might we are up against.

"They're one of the highest-placed teams in the competition early doors.

"But we beat them at their place – I think we're the only team to do that this season. And here we were 2-0 up after 70 minutes then got Chris Hussey sent off and we drew 2-2, which was disappointing.

"For us to be competing at that level is almost like taking on a top Championship team so we'll get ready this week for one hell of a game.

"We'll really respect the game and the FA Cup because it's the best competition in the world.

"Apart from the Champions League, which I love, the FA Cup is what we all dream about, and we've got a chance to take on the might of Wigan on Saturday."

It is not clear if Bury will have to do that without captain Nathan Cameron and top scorer Leon Clarke.

Both missed Saturday’s 4-3 win at home to Blackpool – Bury’s first victory in six matches.

Clarke was given compassionate leave to be with his seriously ill mother while Cameron failed to recover sufficiently from a knee injury

"It's really important from my side of things that Leon does the right thing and supports his family,” said the Bury boss.

“While Nathan wasn't close enough (for me) to risk him.

“It's settled down but it's not where we want it to be.

"We thought there'd be better progression, but it didn't really improve a lot.

"He came in on Saturday and was quite positive, but he still wasn't near enough to make the game.”

There were initial fears Cameron had suffered knee ligament damage after limping off in the previous weekend’s defeat at Shrewsbury.

But Flitcroft confirmed last Thursday he would not need surgery and was given injections to speed up the healing process.

Utility player Reece Brown was moved from his usual position as holding midfielder to cover, and Flitcroft would have no fears about doing the same against Wigan, who go into the tie unbeaten in 10 matches.

"Reece has had to drop back and slot in,” he said.

"He is getting the games and experience under his belt. He's not an experienced player but he'll certainly develop playing alongside Peter Clarke."